TELESPAZIO SPA

Their core work

Telespazio is a major Italian satellite services and space operations company that provides GNSS-based solutions for aviation, railways, and cadastral applications. They develop air traffic management systems, drone integration technologies, and satellite-based positioning services. Their work spans from ground-based space agriculture demonstrations to operational systems for airport capacity management, U-space drone corridors, and European navigation system (Galileo/EGNSS) applications across transport and security domains.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In 2015-2018, Telespazio focused on foundational GNSS applications — railway signalling (ERSAT EAV, STARS), airport GNSS capacity (e-Airport as coordinator), multimodal EGNSS (BEYOND), and even space agriculture (EDEN ISS). From 2019 onward, the emphasis shifted decisively toward unmanned aircraft integration, U-space systems, advanced ATM communication infrastructure (LDACS, SATCOM, GBAS), and space traffic management. The progression shows a company moving from proving GNSS works in transport to building the operational infrastructure for autonomous and unmanned systems in shared airspace.

Telespazio is positioning itself as a systems integrator for the convergence of manned aviation, drones, and space traffic — expect future work on autonomous airspace management and next-generation CNS infrastructure.

How they like to work

Telespazio overwhelmingly participates as a contributor rather than a leader — coordinating only 1 of 16 projects, while serving as third party in 7 (all SESAR programme projects). Their 200 unique partners across 36 countries indicate a deeply embedded position in large European consortia, particularly within the SESAR Joint Undertaking framework. This pattern suggests a reliable industrial partner that brings operational satellite infrastructure and domain expertise to large-scale collaborative programmes rather than driving small focused research efforts.

With 200 consortium partners across 36 countries, Telespazio has one of the broadest networks in the European ATM and space sectors. Their heavy involvement in SESAR projects connects them to virtually all major European air navigation service providers and aerospace companies.

What sets them apart

Telespazio sits at the intersection of satellite services and air traffic management — a rare combination that becomes critical as drones and space traffic require GNSS-based management infrastructure. Unlike pure research organizations, they bring operational satellite infrastructure and decades of space service delivery, making them a practical implementation partner. Their dual expertise in both space-side operations and ground-side ATM systems is particularly valuable for U-space and future autonomous airspace projects.

Highlights from their portfolio

• e-Airport
  Only project where Telespazio served as coordinator; largest single EC contribution (EUR 636K) focused on GNSS-based airport capacity and safety improvements.
• EDEN ISS
  Unusual diversification — a space plant cultivation and vertical farming project, showing Telespazio's involvement in space operations beyond navigation and communications.
• PJ13 - W2 ERICA
  Central to Telespazio's strategic pivot toward RPAS/drone airspace integration, addressing detect-and-avoid and IFR insertion in controlled airspace.