Wingbits Enhances Aviation Data with Satellite Tracking

HONG KONG — Wingbits, a blockchain-powered aviation data network, is set to add satellite-tracking capabilities as it looks to make further inroads into the $22 billion aviation data industry. The Swedish company is launching a satellite with Spire Global, which operates a low-orbit satellite constellation. The satellite will be carried by SpaceX’s Transporter-13 mission in late February from Vandenburg Space Force Base in California.

During Consensus Hong Kong, Robin Wingardh, Wingbits’ CEO and co-founder, discussed how the satellite complements the startup’s extensive network, which includes 2,200 on-the-ground nodes managed by flight enthusiasts worldwide.

The decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) project incentivizes data providers with Solana testnet tokens. Unlike companies such as FlightAware and Flightradar24, which do not compensate enthusiasts for their contributions, Wingbits aims to reward users actively supplying data on airplane movements.

Currently, Wingbits has contributors from over 90 countries, tracking around 120,000 unique flights daily. The company plans to use its reward system to create a global network, allowing tokens to be exchanged for air miles, airport lounge access, and other services.

Wingardh mentioned that the satellite will enable the company to verify ground data to prevent “spoofing” by cross-referencing flight data between the DePIN and the satellite. This approach aims to provide more accurate information compared to competitors.

Wingbits recently completed a second seed round, raising $5.6 million from Borderless Capital, Bullish Capital (part of the Bullish Group that also owns CoinDesk), and others.