Through their 2011 Administrative Arrangement and active policy and programmatic coordination, the European Defence Agency (EDA) and European Space Agency (ESA), have today agreed to pursue their cooperation in the domain of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) with the signature of the DeSIRE II Project Arrangement.    

This cooperation is the result of the successful DeSIRE I project carried out in 2012 and 2013, through which EDA and ESA demonstrated the use of satellites enabling the insertion of RPAS in Europe. This project effectively demonstrated that RPAS complemented by satellites can be safely inserted in non-segregated airspace and thus fulfil user needs in maritime surveillance services.    

Following respective approval processes, EDA’s Chief Executive Claude-France Arnould and Magali Vaissiere, ESA Director of Telecommunications and Integrated Applications, have today concluded the signature of the next step of this cooperation. DeSIRE II will demonstrate that services, such as environment and maritime surveillance applications, can be rendered with RPAS flying beyond radio line of sight through the use of safe and secure satellite-based command and control data links.    

This demonstration project will also seek to illustrate the benefits of the integration of space assets, such as communication satellites, navigation satellites and Earth observation satellites, with terrestrial infrastructure for enabling new services. It will further tackle the implementation of an initial set of elements for air traffic management and related safety issues in order to support the evolution of air traffic insertion regulations and standards.    

DeSIRE II is expected to be a bridging phase towards more cooperation between ESA and EDA on RPAS applications and capability developments.    

Additional information   

DeSIRE I Demonstration:    

http://iap.esa.int/projects/security/DeSIRE    

http://www.eda.europa.eu/info-hub/news/2013/04/26/successful-esa-eda-flight-demonstration-on-rpas-insertion-into-civil-airspace    

EDA RPAS Factsheet    

http://www.eda.europa.eu/info-hub/publications/publication-details/pub/factsheet-remotely-piloted-aircraft-systems-(rpas)    

1964-2014: 50 years serving European Cooperation and Innovation    

In 1964, the Conventions of the European Launcher Development Organisation (ELDO) and the European Space Research Organisation (ESRO) entered into force. A little more than a decade later, the European Space Agency (ESA) was established, taking over from these two organisations.    

2014 will be dedicated to addressing the future in the light of these 50 years of unique achievements in space, which have put ESA among the leading space agencies in the world.    

The motto ‘serving European cooperation and innovation’ underlines how much ESA, together with the national delegations from its 20 Member States, space industry, the scientific community and more recently the EU, has made a difference for Europe and its citizens.    

Fifty years of European cooperation in space is an anniversary for the whole space sector in Europe, which can be proud of its results and achievements. It is a testimony that when Member States share the same challenging objectives and join forces, Europe is at the leading edge of progress, innovation and growth, for the benefit of all citizens.    

About the European Space Agency   

The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space.    

ESA is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975, with the mission to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.    

ESA has 20 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, of whom 18 are Member States of the EU.    

ESA has Cooperation Agreements with eight other Member States of the EU. Canada takes part in some ESA programmes under a Cooperation Agreement.    

ESA is also working actively with the EU, for the implementation of the programmes Galileo and Copernicus.    

By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, ESA can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country.    
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ESA develops the launchers, spacecraft and ground facilities needed to keep Europe at the forefront of global space activities.    

Today, it launches satellites for Earth observation, navigation, telecommunications and astronomy, sends probes to the far reaches of the Solar System and cooperates in the human exploration of space.    

Learn more at www.esa.int    

For further information:   

ESA Media Relations Office   
Email: media@esa.int   
Tel: +33 1 53 69 72 99