The ECHO 2 is a three-year SESAR Joint Undertaking project coordinated by EUROCONTROL. The project will build on research from the initial ECHO project that develped a concept of operations (ConOps) for higher airspace. Specifically, the project will focus on introducing to the ConOps a module on space launch real-time monitoring, and packages covering ground and air-ground operational integration procedures.
The project is at the forefront of aviation innovation, focusing on the end-to-end integration of new entrants, such as drones and space vehicles, into the European airspace within the EUROCONTROL Network Manager area.
By conducting live flight trials, the project aims to enhance air traffic management, ensuring seamless, safe, and efficient operations. The ECHO 2 initiative not only supports the growth of modern aviation technologies but also reinforces Europe’s commitment to maintaining a leading role in global aviation progress, promising a future where air and space travel are more integrated than ever.
ECHO 2 Project Objectives
A Coordinated Overview from the EUROCONTROL Network Manager
The ECHO 2 Project is dedicated to enhancing air traffic management by integrating space mission monitoring for launches and re-entries within the EUROCONTROL Network Manager area. It focuses on creating operational frameworks to manage space operations, including orbital and sub-orbital trajectories, ensuring they harmonize with existing air traffic. This initiative aims to improve airspace safety and efficiency, marking a significant step towards seamless coordination between space and aviation sectors in Europe’s skies.
Supporting High Altitude Platforms
The ECHO 2 Project is also focusing on High Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS), is essential for advancing European airspace management through a live trial within the Network Manager Area. This work package not only aims to demonstrate the seamless integration of HAPS but also emphasizes the need for cross-border coordination and effective planning for contingency scenarios. By developing harmonized operational protocols, WP2 underscores the importance of collaborative efforts across nations to ensure the safety and efficiency of Europe’s increasingly complex airspace, highlighting a significant stride towards innovative aviation solutions.
Air Travel of the Future
Finally, the ECHO 2 Project aims at integrating supersonic, hypersonic, and suborbital vehicle operations into the European Air Traffic Management (ATM) system. This work package focuses on developing protocols and conducting simulated trials to ensure these high-speed vehicles can safely coexist with traditional air traffic across international boundaries. It addresses the challenges of managing these fast-moving vehicles, emphasizing the importance of contingency planning and cross-border cooperation to maintain airspace safety and efficiency. The portion of the project is pivotal in preparing Europe’s airspace for the future of rapid global travel.
Project Partners
EUROCONTROL, Centro Italiano Ricerche Aerospaziali (CIRA), Leonardo, Destinus Spain, DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung , Enaire, Ecole Nationale De L’ Aviation Civile (ENAC), Ente Nazionale Per L’Aviazione Civile (ENAC), Enav, Airbus Operations , Direction Des Services De La Navigation Aerienne (DSNA), European Satellite Services Provider (ESSP), Okapi:Orbits, Luftfartsverket, Collins Aerospace Ireland, Hyimpulse Technologies, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt, Skydweller, Thales Las France , Nav Portugal, Thales Alenia Space France Sas, NATS, Aalto Haps
