Space Science & Technology | 12th November 2026
The European Space Agency and the SESAR Joint Undertaking have signed a cooperation agreement to investigate how satellite technology could improve the safety, resilience and efficiency of Europe's air traffic management systems.
Announced on 10 November, the memorandum establishes a framework for joint research, technical development and validation of space-enabled aviation services.
The agreement forms part of Europe's wider Digital European Sky programme, which aims to modernise air traffic management through improved communications, navigation and surveillance.
Research will examine how satellites, aircraft and ground infrastructure can work together to provide more reliable communications and positioning information.
Potential applications include secure aircraft-to-ground data exchange, satellite communications and alternative navigation services designed to maintain operations when conventional systems experience interference or disruption.
The partnership will also consider how European infrastructure, including Galileo, EGNOS and the planned IRIS² satellite network, could contribute to aviation resilience.
Another priority is the integration of remotely piloted aircraft into controlled airspace.
ESA and SESAR will identify promising systems, assess their performance and determine which could eventually meet Europe's aviation requirements.
The cooperation is another step towards strengthening European control over critical communications and navigation infrastructure while preparing for increasingly connected airspace.
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