→ ARTES 20
Feasibility Study
SINUE
Satellites enabling
the Integration in
Non-segregated airspace
of UAS in Europe
Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) can improve and facilitate surveillance,
inspection, and monitoring in scenarios typically described as dirty, dull
and dangerous, thereby providing benefit to a wide range of users. The
biggest obstacle to large-scale use of UAS is the constraint to fly within
line-of-sight of the ground control station. This severely restricts the
operational range of the unmanned aircraft. Furthermore, there is no
supportive regulatory framework for flying UAS in non-segregated
airspace. Demonstrating satisfactory technical solutions is necessary to
make progress on these fronts. The SINUE study has shown that
satellites enhance UAS capabilities for improved services to end-users as
well as facilitate UAS integration into non-segregated air space.
Who needs what?
Users of surveillance, inspection and monitoring
services, ranging from authorities and institutions
(e.g. coast guards) to operators of infrastructure
(such as oil or gas pipelines), rely on up-to-date
information such as radar data, video or still
images to be delivered on short notice. These are
normally supplied by manned airplanes and
helicopters which, although effective, are
expensive to operate. They can also put pilots at
risk. New and existing users of such services
would benefit from cheaper and safer operations
using UAS.
Challenge
There are two major challenges involved in operating UAS beyond line-of-sight. First, the regulatory
framework for flying UAS in non-segregated airspace is not available. Second, a highly reliable
communication link is needed between the ground control station and the unmanned aircraft. This link
supports the control of the aircraft, as well as the transmission of data collected by the payload sensors.
It also relays voice communication between the pilot on the ground and the air traffic controllers in the
area where the unmanned aircraft operates.
Printed in November 2011
European Space Agency
Operations
center
GPS constellation
S&A
A T C, C2 ,
data
The solution to operate UAS beyond
line-of-sight relies on the use of satellite
communication and satellite navigation.
The SINUE study shows that satellites
can provide a technically feasible
solution for controlling and commanding
the unmanned aircraft (see C2 link in
Figure), for relaying the air traffic control
voice communication (see ATC link), and
for retrieving high bit-rate payload data
in near real time (see payload link).
Extensive simulations in the air traffic
environment prove that satellites are an
important enabler for inserting UAS into
non-segregated air space, when used
together with suitable UAS contingency
procedures.
Telecommunication satellite
Payload
SINUE solution
Ground control
station
ATC
Air traffic Management
Outcome
The study shows that satellites can be used as an integral part of an UAS to provide new capabilities
to fly beyond line-of-sight as well as flying in non-segregated air space. Furthermore, it has been
shown that using UAS can provide significant savings on operational expenses (from 30% to 70%),
with respect to using manned aircraft. Those findings will soon be demonstrated in near-operational
conditions in the framework of an IAP demonstration project.
Project details
The implementing consortium is led by Indra
Espacio (ES). It also includes AT-One (DE/NL),
Ineco (ES), GMV (E) and SES-Astra (LU).
For more information contact:
Dr Stefan Gustafsson (ESA)
Email: [email protected]
Antoni Gonzalez Novell (Indra Espacio)
Email: [email protected]
The project is further described on
http://iap.esa.int
Printed in November 2011
Collaborating with ESA
The Integrated Application Promotion (IAP, or
ARTES 20) programme funds feasibility studies
and demonstrations. It aims at generating
sustainable services which meet the needs of
public and private organisations. SINUE is just
one example of IAP applications. Do you think
that space technologies and services such as
space imagery, satellite navigation, satellite
communication, manned space technologies
might help you better address your operational
challenges? ESA’s IAP programme can make it
happen. For further details please contact us at
Email:
[email protected]
Website:
http://iap.esa.int