ALCYON
An ESA-backed test mission, led by Kinéis, to track ships and aircraft from low orbit for Europe's planned IRIS² secure connectivity constellation.
Why it matters
Ships and planes over open ocean are out of reach of ground radar. Tracking them from space supports maritime safety, air traffic management, the fight against illegal fishing and environmental monitoring, and Europe wants its own capability.
How the technology works
Satellites receive VDES signals, an upgrade to ships' AIS transponders that allows two-way data, and ADS-B broadcasts from aircraft. Kinéis is prime contractor and system operator, working with Thales Alenia Space, Satlab, Sternula and ESSP.
Sources
Updated Oct 22, 2026 · How we source facts · Suggest a correction