Egis, Unisphere, and the European Satellite Services Provider (ESSP) have been awarded a contract by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to support the development of Higher Airspace Operations (HAO) under a new project called ASCENT.

ASCENT will examine the Communications, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS), Meteorological (MET), and Space Weather service requirements needed to enable safe and efficient operations in higher airspace. It will provide EASA with an assessment of the current landscape and the future service ecosystem required to accommodate aviation activities above conventional air traffic levels. 

Under the contract, Egis, Unisphere, and ESSP will:
- Develop an in-depth understanding of existing capabilities that can support HAO.
- Identify gaps, limitations, and safety risks in current CNS, MET, and space weather capabilities at very high altitudes.
- Formulate recommendations for alternative solutions and mitigation measures to address these gaps. 
- Assess the economic and financial implications of the proposed options.
- Engage stakeholders involved in the development of HAO and disseminate the project findings to support HAO development across Europe.

Charlène Mari, Project Director, Egis said: “We are proud to support EASA in shaping the future regulatory framework for Higher Airspace Operations. As new types of vehicles emerge and operations move into ever higher altitudes, Europe needs a clear, forward‑looking approach to ensure safety, efficiency, and interoperability. We look forward to contributing to a robust set of recommendations that will help Europe remain at the forefront of innovation in the upper airspace.”

Egis will be the consortium and technical leader, drawing on its long-standing expertise in civil CNS and economic analysis. Unisphere, as a consortium partner and specialist in weather intelligence, will lead the analysis of meteorological requirements. The European Satellite Services Provider (ESSP) will contribute specialised expertise on space weather phenomena and services. The consortium was selected thanks to its established relationships with industry players and the breadth of its aerospace expertise, covering all aspects of the project.

Christoph Schlettig, CEO, Unisphere said: “Higher Airspace Operations demand reliable and highly specialised meteorological services. We are delighted to work alongside Egis and EASA to help define the service capabilities and data frameworks needed to support emerging activities such as airship missions, balloon and rocket launches, and supersonic flights.”

ASCENT (Assessment of System Capabilities and Environmental Needs for higher-airspace Traffic) forms part of a wider European Union-funded programme led by EASA to develop a draft regulatory framework for Higher Airspace Operations in EU airspace. This work aims to support future civil aviation activities above Flight Level 650, where conventional air traffic services are not typically provided. These activities include sub-orbital flights and high-altitude uncrewed aircraft systems, all of which require new regulatory approaches to ensure safe integration with the existing aviation system.

More information on HAO is available on the EASA website and in the HAO-related FAQs.