ASTRAEA is a critical programme for the aerospace industry and the country, as autonomous systems are the way of the future. Working closely with the Civil Aviation Authority as an independent reviewer, the ASTRAEA team will make substantial progress toward realising the potential of UAS. This is a great example of how the UK can still lead the world in high technology and commercial aerospace, providing valuable jobs and export income.

ASTRAEA II is the current phase of the programme. Its goal is to promote and enable safe, routine and unrestricted use of UAS. The objective of the 3 year programme is to develop and mature the technology and systems to the high standard required to obtain certification, equivalent with manned aircraft, from the air regulators.

ASTRAEA II comprises two main projects. Both projects will include elements of demonstration and interaction with the CAA regulator.

Separation Assurance & Control

Separation Assurance and Control addresses the particular technologies required to control the flying vehicle in the airspace from the ground control station through the communication system to the sensors of the aircraft to ensure safe separation from other users. It particularly addresses the human factors of the ground control station, the spectrum, security and integrity of the communication system and the vehicles sense and avoid sensor system. These technologies are specifically associated with flying vehicles. Read more...

Autonomy & Decision Making

Autonomy and Decision Making tackles the intelligence in the vehicle through a qualifiable variable autonomy system that shares decision making for the mission and contingency management with the human operator. This includes autonomous prognostics and health management of the vehicle systems. These technologies are potentially generic in nature although the project application will be airborne. Read more...