ECHO2 advances real-time monitoring for safe integration of space operations into higher airspace

The safe integration of space operations into air traffic management is becoming an increasingly pressing priority as higher airspace evolves into an active operational domain. Once considered primarily a transition zone between aviation and space, higher airspace is now expected to host a growing range of activities, including commercial space operations, high-altitude platform systems, supersonic and hypersonic aircraft, and suborbital flights. This emerging environment is being shaped by rapid technological development and new commercial opportunities, but it also brings increasing operational complexity linked to launch frequency, re-entry uncertainty, and space debris.

This was at the heart of the discussions at the ECHO2 work package 1 validation open day, held on 17 April 2026 in Brussels, where stakeholders reviewed progress on the development and validation of the network real-time mission monitoring module for space launches and re-entries.

Within this context, the SESAR JU ECHO2 project, led by EUROCONTROL, is supporting the development of new operational capabilities to manage higher airspace more systematically. As space traffic increases and re-entry events and launch activities require more frequent coordination, the need for real-time situational awareness, coordinated decision-making, and robust contingency management becomes central to maintaining safety and efficiency across the wider airspace system.

During the workshop, participants-including air navigation service provider (ANSPs), the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the European Commission, civil aviation authorities, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and other stakeholders-reviewed the latest progress of the project and its operational applications. A key focus was the presentation of recent technical and procedural validation activities by colleagues from Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), which assessed system performance under both nominal and non-nominal scenarios, including variations in launch timelines, evolving re-entry trajectories, and contingency situations.

The network real-time mission monitoring module prototype was also demonstrated in the simulation environment used for validation activities. It illustrated how consolidated, real-time information on space missions can support operational decision-making, improve coordination between stakeholders, and reduce the impact of space-related activities on aviation traffic flows.

Participants also visited the EUROCONTROL Network Manager Operations Centre (NMOC), where they gained insight into the operational role of the NM Space Desk in coordinating space-related airspace activities. These exchanges highlighted the importance of close cross-domain collaboration as aviation and space operations become increasingly interconnected.

The ECHO2 project will continue until the end of 2026, when final results and consolidated validation findings will be delivered. These outcomes will provide a comprehensive assessment of the proposed solutions and their contribution to the future management of higher airspace operations in Europe.

And if you are at ATM World in Lisbon next week, please come and join us for the ECHO 2 SESAR Walking Tour on Wednesday at 16:00 at the Europe for Aviation Stand, and learn more about all the validation activities in ECHO 2.

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