AERONAUTICAL COMMUNICATIONS PANEL (ACP)
Working Group C – 6th meeting
Toulouse, France
20 – 24 October 2003
Agenda items 6: Evaluation of potential technologies
Advanced study to identify the potential role of satellites in ATC systems
in the 2020 and beyond timeframe
Presented by the EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY
SUMMARY
This paper introduces a study item, which is part of the advanced feasibility studies programme of the European Space Agency, Directorate of Applications.
A contract was recently awarded to an industrial consortium.
The European Space Agency is sponsoring study work in industry to identify the potential usage of space-based systems in the future, in sectors of activities like transport, which will make intensive usage of navigation and mobile communication systems.
As a part of this work programme, an activity covering the potential requirements of air transport has been identified. A call for tender was issued, eleven proposals were received from industry and evaluated with the participation of Eurocontrol in the framework of the cooperation agreement between the two Agencies. Eurocontrol will also assist in the running of the contract.
A contract was subsequently placed for a duration of six month with an industry consortium led by THALES ATM and ASTRIUM.
A summary of the work statement is attached
The working group is invited to take note of the work undertaken.
Air Traffic Management Systems for 2020 and beyond
The expected role of satellites
Statement of Work
European Space Research and Technology Centre
European Space Agency, Keplerlaan 1
P.O. Box 299, 2200 AG Noordwijk
The Netherlands
1.Introduction
In order to cope with the almost constant trend of air traffic growth, which is being observed over the years, while maintaining adequate performance levels, both in terms of safety of flight and capacity of airspace, the Air Traffic Management (ATM) methodology and the corresponding systems are in constant evolution. Space based systems are starting to come into usage, both for navigation (GNSS) and communication (AMSS), but on a rather limited scale so far, typically only as complements to the terrestrially based systems.
An example of such a complement is a new generation of aeronautical satellite communication system; under study by the Agency in cooperation with Eurocontrol, denominated Satellite Data Link System (SDLS). The objective of which is to complement in the near future the existing Air/Ground communication system of aviation (in the VHF band), which is expected to reach saturation, in the busiest parts of the airspace, towards the end of the present decade.
Longer term issues (typically 2020 and beyond) also have to be studied, which, due to the more remote timescale for implementation, may open the range of contemplated solutions to significantly more radical changes of the ATM methodology.
2.Objectives and Scope
The results of this study shall provide a vision on a global ATM system for the period 2020 and beyond. The study will encompass not only technological aspects but also a global picture of the operational scenario, regulatory framework and the impact of the economical and political environment on the development and implementation of a future system. The activity shall provide a valuable understanding of the role that satellites could play in that vision.
This study will identify and review the potential new concepts in the area of ATM methodology for the timescale 2020 and beyond; with the view of identifying the role that space based systems could play in this context. In the USA, large aircraft manufacturers and satellite system developers have already announced in the course of 2001, that they were undertaking similar work with the view of preventing a future levelling of the air transport market, due to the risk of saturation of the airspace.
The study work shall draw on compile and analyse material published by ATM expert entities worldwide, like Eurocontrol, FAA, Boeing and possibly others. Bearing in mind the need for maintaining a continuity of ATM technology evolution over the time and taking advantage of the new ideas being floated, the study shall finally offer one or more visions of the ATM of the long term future with emphasis on the incentives of using space based systems.
3.Study Time Schedule
The expected total duration of the activity is 6 months.