How the space industry is benefiting from the growth in the UAS and C-UAS industries
In the summer 2024 issue of Vertical Space, I explored the vulnerabilities of the UAS industry arising from potential disruptions to the satellite systems, whether due to natural or man-made causes. This article Unlocking New Frontiers, continues the conversation, focusing on the positive synergies between the UAS and space industries and their mutually beneficial relationship.
This article is informed by my experience attending the Drone and Mobility Now Summit in Ireland earlier this year, where presentations from the Irish Space Association and European Space Agency (ESA) emphasized the synergies between the UAS and space sectors. I found this intriguing as it contrasted with the often polarized debate on data acquisition, where some have viewed drone-acquired data as a replacement for satellite data rather than complementing satellite data. It was refreshing to see high-level representatives from the Irish Space Association and ESA acknowledge and promote the inter-connectivity of the two industries.
The space industry is indispensable to the operation, application and protection of the commercial UAS industry. Satellite systems provide essential services such as GNSS for navigation, communications, real-time command and control and airspace monitoring. As the UAS industry expands, its future is intricately tied to the space industry’s continued development.
Coincidentally, the UAS industry is driving demand for satellite systems and services, as well as innovations in technology and policy that help address key challenges in the space industry. This article explores how the UAS Industry is contributing to the growth and innovation of the space sector, promoting cross-sector cooperation, improving access to space-based systems, and creating new commercial opportunities.
Additionally, previously stagnant elements of various space programs have experienced an infusion of new ideas and energy from the rapidly evolving UAS industry that are driving innovation and growth.
Growth in demand for satellite systems and networks
The UAS Industry’s shift towards BVLOS and autonomous operations is driving demand for more extensive satellite networks to ensure continuous GNSS, data transmission, and communications coverage in remote and underserved regions.
Space companies are benefiting from this demand. Satellite manufacturers, like Airbus Defense & Space and Maxar Technologies, are seeing increased demand for GNSS and communications satellites. Launch providers, such as SpaceX and Rocket Lab, are deploying more satellites to support the growing UAS industry.
While satellite constellations, like OneWeb and Starlink, provide continuous global coverage for secure real-time communications, they may not be as focused on navigation services compared to GNSS systems like Galileo or GPS. Amazon’s Project Kuiper is being developed to provide continuous global coverage for secure, real-time communications and navigation. This demand for satellite infrastructure is leading to new markets and innovations in satellite design, manufacturing and delivery.
Finally, UAS operations in signal-denied environments, such as military or disaster zones, are also driving demand for specialized satellite solutions that ensure secure, reliable communications and navigation.
Growth in demand for better satellite services
As UAS operations become more complex, there is an increasing need for higher-quality satellite services, including precise GNSS, resilient communication links and reliable real-time data exchange.
Companies, such as the Thales Group (TNS), are driving advancements in GNSS accuracy. Additionally, they are critical in meeting the UAS industry’s demand for centimeter-level precision which is essential for BVLOS and autonomous UAS missions. Similarly, Space X’s Starlink provides low-latency broadband services critical for real-time data transmission.
From a C-UAS perspective, satellite manufacturers and GNSS augmentation service providers are developing secure communication and GNSS infrastructure that can withstand jamming or spoofing. This helps to meet the UAS industry’s need for resilience in or adjacent to high-risk areas where interference is more prevalent.
Additionally, Earth observation satellites are seeing a growing demand for satellite imagery for UAS applications such as agriculture, disaster management and response and environmental monitoring. Satellite data complements high-resolution drone imagery creating more comprehensive datasets. Companies like Trimble are providing integrated GNSS augmentation services, enhancing situations awareness for UAS operations across various sectors.
Contributing to innovation in satellite technologies
Both the UAS and space industries are advancing through innovations in miniaturization, autonomy, materials and power efficiency.
The space industry is meeting the demand for more satellite systems and services, by developing smaller, smarter and cost-effective satellites. These ‘smallsats’ or ‘cubesats’ can be deployed faster and in larger constellations, providing more flexible global coverage for UAS operations.
UAS-driven autonomy and AI are also being adapted for space applications. Autonomous satellites are improving orbit management, collision avoidance and space traffic monitoring. This allows the space industry to safely manage increasing numbers of satellites without compromising service availability.
Advances in lightweight materials and efficient power systems from the UAS sector are also influencing improvements on satellite design. Satellites are being built with longer operational lifespans and greater energy efficiency which are helping to reduce production and maintenance costs.
UAS traffic management systems are informing the development of space traffic management systems, enabling the space industry to safely manage growing satellite networks in various orbits.
Broader contributions enhancing growth in the space sector
The UAS Industry is contributing to the broader space ecosystem driving research and development (R&D), attracting investment and funding, fostering cross-sector collaboration and addressing key challenges for the space industry.
Cross-sector R&D collaborations, such as those between space agencies and UAS companies, are advancing AI, autonomy, and collision avoidance in space. In Europe, the ESA and the European Union Agency for the Space Program (EUSPA) are taking a leading role in fostering cross-sector collaboration with the UAS Industry. This is especially the case in areas such as satellite navigation and traffic management. Furthermore, the demand for geofencing and UAV highways is driving collaboration on satellite-based airspace management systems, improving the integration of UAVs into manned airspace. Public private partnerships are leading to dual-use technologies that benefit both industries. Investment in the UAS sector is helping to fund next-generation satellites, communication networks, and GNSS services. Companies like Iridium Communications and Inmarsat, which are expanding their services to meet the needs of UAS operators, are benefiting from increased investment in satellite infrastructure.
While the UAS Industry is also helping to solve key challenges like space traffic and debris management through innovations in autonomous systems and AI-driven decision-making, it is also introducing new complexities for the space industry, through for example increased demands for satellite infrastructure and services.
Conclusions
In conclusion, this article has summarized how the ongoing expansion of the UAS Industry (including C-UAS) is helping to drive demand, innovation and new opportunities in the space industry. This growth is fueled by UAS Industry’s need for secure and safe global coverage, enhanced communications, real-time data exchanges, resilient systems, wider data collection and better data integration and value-added outputs.
Recent conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine, are accelerating the development of drones designed to evade detection and interception by C-UAS technologies which is further driving innovation in both industries.
The UAS and space industries are accelerating each other’s growth in technology, regulation, accessibility and investment. Cross-sector collaborations and public-private partnerships are creating new markets and improving the sustainability of both industries by addressing key challenges such as space traffic management.
As these mutually beneficial advancements continue, with improving accessibility, reliability, flexibility, safety, security and sustainability, both industries are poised to unlock new frontiers on Earth and in Space.
Post-script
Finally, an article on the relationship between the space and UAS Industries would not be complete without referencing NASA’s Ingenuity Project (2021-2024). The Ingenuity helicopter incorporated fundamental UAS technologies for autonomous flight and navigation systems. It also benefited from innovations in lightweight and energy-efficient materials as well as from advancements in miniaturization and power efficiency that have supported the growth of the UAS sector.
This unique and extraordinary project, designed to explore the feasibility of operating remotely powered aircraft on Mars, highlights the versatility and potential of UAS technology to contribute to space exploration. Ingenuity’s success opens the door for future adaptations of UAS technologies for extraterrestrial exploration and data collection, thereby truly unlocking new frontiers in space exploration.
