[Satellite TODAY 10-17-11] The European Space Agency (ESA) has contracted satellite manufacturer Thales Alenia Space to lead a nine-month study regarding satellite communications solutions for Unmanned Aircraft Vehicle (UAV) systems (UAS), the company announced Oct. 14.

   Thales said the emerging system concepts for UAS command and control via satellite (ESPRIT) study will focus on the provision of communication capacity for command and control links to UAVs flying through civilian airspace.

   Thales Alenia Space, acting as the leader of an industrial consortium for ESPRIT, will study solutions at both spectrum and system levels. The manufacturer’s team will include entities from the aeronautical satellite communications, UAS, space systems and regulatory sectors.

   Financial details of the contract were not disclosed.