New agreement with SESAR JU to enhance satellite-based solutions for air traffic management
The European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) and SESAR Joint Undertaking (SESAR JU) have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) to strengthen their collaboration on delivering the Digital European Sky and making aviation safer, more sustainable and resilient.
This partnership brings together the strengths of both organisations to promote research and innovation, addressing major challenges in the aviation sector such as environmental sustainability, airspace capacity, security, and operational efficiency. By creating synergies between the two programmes, the agreement aims to ensure that Europe remains at the forefront of aviation and space technology advancements.
The scope of the cooperation will be to share knowledge and jointly promote research and innovation in satellite technologies for aviation. It will also explore ways to complement EU funding programmes and incorporate space data in future funding activities related to air traffic management (ATM) and aviation. Advancing innovative, space-based solutions and their market uptake, as well as new business opportunities, are key elements in the agreement, particularly in precise satellite navigation for commercial aircraft (e.g. performance-based navigation) and drone traffic management (U-space).
The memorandum aligns with the goals of the updated European ATM Master Plan, which outlines a strategic vision for modernising Europe’s air traffic management. By incorporating space-based technologies into ATM, this cooperation will help create a more connected, sustainable, and secure aviation system, moving Europe closer to the full implementation of the Digital European Sky. The SESAR Joint Undertaking brings together the EU, Eurocontrol, and more than 50 organisations covering the entire aviation value chain, from airports, airspace users, air navigation service providers, drone operators and service providers, the manufacturing industry and the scientific community.
Welcoming the agreement, Rodrigo da Costa, EUSPA Executive Director, said: “This Memorandum of Cooperation is a key step in integrating EU space technologies like Galileo and Copernicus into Europe's air traffic management. Partnering with SESAR JU allows us to enhance the safety, sustainability, and resilience of European airspace while fostering innovation and creating new opportunities for growth across the aviation sector, supporting the vision of the Digital European Sky.”
Andreas Boschen, Executive Director of SESAR JU, reflected these sentiments: “This agreement with EUSPA represents a significant milestone in our efforts to deliver the Digital Europea Sky and make air traffic management fit for the 21st century. By integrating space-based technologies into ATM, we can unlock new opportunities to optimise operations, reduce environmental impact, and ensure the resilience of the European sky.”
This collaboration lays the groundwork for future advancements in air traffic management, leveraging space technologies to enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability. As aviation evolves, EUSPA and SESAR JU will continue supporting innovation for a more connected and resilient European sky.
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