Story ID: 
Blue Sky Introduces Portable Tracker
By: Stephen Pope
Caption: Blue Sky Network has introduced a portable satellite communication device for tracking aircraft and transmitting text messages and short-code reports.
Word Count: 94
Blue Sky Network has introduced a portable satellite communication device for tracking aircraft and transmitting text messages and short-code reports. About the size and weight of a car stereo, the carry-on D2000MA/MDA tracker supplies real-time position data and text messages between aircraft and ground crew over the Iridium satellite network. The battery-powered unit can operate for 24 hours on a single charge, with reports accessible on Blue Sky’s SkyRouter Web portal. List price is $3,795 for the D2000MA and $4,295 for the D2000MDA. The higher-priced version includes a fuselage-mounted antenna. –Stephen Pope