EURIALO: European Independent ATC Surveillance Operational System

EURIALO is ESA’s pioneering satellite-based surveillance project that enables real-time global aircraft tracking fully independent of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), using passive geolocation technology to overcome the limitations of conventional radar and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) systems.

Designed to enhance air traffic safety, security, and resilience, EURIALO supports the modernisation of global Air Traffic Management (ATM) and complements Europe’s future Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance (CNS) infrastructure.

Features

Fully independent from Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), enhancing surveillance resilience and reliability.

Enables real-time global coverage by capturing aircraft radio signals from space.

End-to-end system designed and validated to meet ATM performance standards.

Background to EURIALO

Today’s aircraft surveillance relies mainly on terrestrial radars and GNSS-dependent systems like ADS-B. These systems face challenges in remote and congested regions due to limited coverage, terrain obstruction and susceptibility or spoofing.

EURIALO addresses these vulnerabilities head-on by offering an independent and passive space-based solution. By eliminating dependency on satellite navigation and radar, EURIALO ensures a more reliable and resilient surveillance backbone, which will be crucial for the future of global aviation.

EURIALO Vision

EURIALO supports Europe’s broader vision of modernising Air Traffic Management (ATM) in alignment with the European ATM Master Plan and the evolution of the CNS infrastructure.

Its introduction marks a critical step forward in: 

Improving global aviation safety and situational awareness

Complementing existing surveillance systems and filling critical coverage gaps

Reinforcing European leadership technology in secure, space-based ATM services

Preparing the aviation sector for future increases in air traffic

Deployment

EURIALO is being developed by Spire in collaboration with high-profile European consortium including European Satellite Services Provider (ESSP), Ente Nazionale Assistenza al Volo (ENAV) and Thales.

Key milestones

Preliminary Requirements Checkpoint (PRC) successfully completed

Demonstration Mission Design now underway

First launch no earlier than 2025, to validate the system in real-world conditions

Full constellation planned post-demonstration

RELATED LINKS & CONTACS

CONTACT

Christophe Allemand

ESA HQ

8-10 rue Mario Nikis, CS 45741

75738 Paris Cedex 15, France

+33 (0)153 697654

Christophe.Allemand@esa.int

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