SPATIO project reaches key milestone with successful live demonstration of drone separation management solution

How can drones safely share Europe's airspace with other aircraft? As part of the SESAR JU Digital European Sky research and innovation Programme, the SPATIO project is helping to answer that question. The project has reached an important milestone with the successful completion of the first live demonstration for its U-space separation management solution (1A) at the Strejnicu airfield in Romania on 28 October.

This test focused on implementing an advanced unmanned aircraft system (UAS) flight authorisation service, introducing several innovative features designed to improve the safety and efficiency of drone operations in Europe.

The validated innovations include:

• Time-deferred authorisation decision: allowing for a delay in the authorisation decision until sufficient information about real-time airspace conditions and expected flight demand is available.
• Authorisation probability concept: giving operators an early indication of how likely their flight authorisation request will be approved.
• Initial fairness management framework: ensuring equitable and non-discriminatory access to the airspace for all operators.
• Advanced strategic conflict detection and resolution: tools for identifying and resolving potential conflicts during the planning phase of drone operations.
• Definition of capacity and separation criteria for U-space through the U-space separation management (USM) service, which adapts separation standards depending on operational conditions.

This successful validation marks an important milestone for the SPATIO project and a step forward towards safe and efficient drone integration into European airspace.

The activity was carried out in close collaboration with SPATIO partners: ROMATSA, INCAS - National Institute for Aerospace Research "Elie Carafoli", Indra, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Unifly, and Universitat Politècnica de València. Their combined expertise was key to reaching this significant project benchmark.

The SPATIO project continues to advance the capabilities of U-space services under the SESAR Joint Undertaking framework.