Bulletin 14 - "Bridging Efforts" Special Bulletin - European Defence ...

SIGNATURE OF FIRST COORDINATED
EDA / ESA STUDIES ON “SATELLITE
SERVICES FOR UAS MISSIONS”
At the venue of EDA’s Annual Conference 2010 on “Bridging
Efforts – Connecting Civilian Security and Military Capability
Development”, the European Defence Agency (EDA) and the
European Space Agency (ESA) signed contracts with two
consortia regarding feasibility studies on “Satellite Services
for the integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) into
European Airspace”. EDA’s Chief Executive, Mr. Alexander
Weis, signed one contract with EADS Astrium Services / EADS
Defence & Security - Military Air Systems (France) and in
parallel ESA’s Director of Telecommunications and Integrated
Applications, Ms. Magali Vaissiere, signed a second contract
with INDRA Espacio (Spain).
The two studies, worth € 400 k each, will explore the feasibility
of a demonstration mission in the timeframe 2010/2011.
Close coordination between the two Agencies ensures that
both European civilian and defence actors will benefit from
the use of multiple integrated space systems as enablers for
cost-effective, sustainable and competitive UAS services in
the future.
EDA Chief Executive Mr. Alexander Weis highlighted "the
cooperative spirit between the two organisations, bringing
about benefits for both civilian and defence stakeholders to
get best value for money".
EDA Special Bulletin : Bridging Efforts | 9 February 2010 | 21