The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
Go to topicThe Satellite Data Link System (SDLS) is a satellite-based radio communication system that will complement the currently used terrestrial one, as part of the overall Air Traffic Management (ATM) infrastructure. It will in particular allow, due to its geographical coverage extended also to remote locations, continuous aircraft position monitoring from the ground. It provides both voice and data communication services (via satellite and Ground Earth Stations) between on the one side, controllers and computers on the ground, and on the other, the aircraft's pilot and Flight Management System (FMS).