Plans are underway by SESAR members and partners to demonstrate the feasibility of using low-orbit satellites to provide communications to manage aircraft in oceanic and remote regions of the world. ECHOES is a three-year Digital Sky Demonstrator that aims to show how space-based communications navigation and surveillance (CNS) technologies can help optimise air traffic while reducing the carbon footprint and maintaining safety levels. In this interview, Jose Alberto Gonzalez Pita from STARTICAL, lead partner, outlines the rationale and planned activities of this ambitious Demonstrator.

Why is it challenging to manage aircraft in oceanic or isolated regions? What are the impacts on cost efficiency/environment/safety?

Air transport is one of the safest modes of transport, thanks in part to communications, navigation and surveillance (CNS) services. Up until now, the infrastructure providing such services has been mostly ground-based. While these terrestrial service have allowed controllers to maintain contact and assure safe separation to ensure safety, controllers must increase separation minima between the aircraft, when there is no CNS coverage. This impacts not only the cost efficiency for airspace users but also increases the environmental footprint of these flights.

What is the rationale of the ECHOES demonstrator and what are its main objectives?

By deploying the CNS infrastructure in space, we can provide CNS services regardless of location. In fact, ECHOES will be the first to attempt to use a space-based technology to provide very high frequency (VHF) communications (voice and datalink).

Can you describe the activities that you are planning?

The aim is to launch two satellites into low earth orbit at around 650 km and install the necessary ground infrastructure on both sides of the Atlantic ocean. Once in place, the project partners and subcontractors will carry out a series of use cases in order validate not only the technology but its operational use. We will also examine regulatory and standardisation considerations, which will be critical if we want to use it in a safe and synchronised manner with the existing infrastructure and services.

How will the demonstrator build on the work of the very large-scale demonstration VOICE? What is different/new about ECHOES compared to VOICE?

• VOICE was intended to validate some initial concepts and an initial part of the technology. ECHOES will go far beyond and focus not only on the technical part, but also on the end-to-end performance analysis. Our aim is to demonstrate that services and technology are ready to go to market; in other words that the two satellites are operational with all the necessary functionalities to provide a commercial service, such as inter-satellite links, enabling communications with aircraft located thousands of kilometers away from the controller.

What is novel about the Demonstrator's approach?

There are a few things, but I think the most relevant one is the fact that aircraft do not need retrofits. Everyone will be able to use this new technology without changing the avionics and that will make it much easier to adopt. The second important point to highlight is that the coverage will be extended to a huge area of operations in comparison with previous projects.

Digital Sky Demonstrators are key to encouraging the uptake of SESAR Solutions - how will you work to make this happen?

We believe this solution has many applications. We want to make our solution the cornerstone of many future applications and the enabler of many existing applications that were not ready due to the lack of infrastructure and/or adoption.

When will we see satellites in low orbit supporting ATM?

In order to provide ATM services, the full constellation has to be deployed. We think that technically-complete services can be expected before the end of this decade, although regulatory work and the frequency allocation process will need to be agreed for this kind of technology, as was done in the past for space-based ADS-B and other satellite-based systems.

How could the results of your Demonstrator be used by the authorities, ANSPs, Network, end users? 

The Demonstrator is a game changer. Results of from the Demonstrator can be used as real end-to-end performance input for standardisation and regulation.  Additionally, the results from this Demonstrator will help stakeholders understand that space-based technologies enable a much faster adoption than traditionally in the aeronautical industry.

What benefits do you hope your project will bring?

We expect to see safety levels improve as well as increased operational efficiency and a reduction in the environmental footprint of aviation all over the world.