As part of the BLU-Space project, the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and HHLA Sky GmbH successfully tested the technical interfaces between the systems of the drone operator and the U-Space Service Provider (USSP). Not only the technical aspects were tested, but also the roles and procedures of the U-Space stakeholders involved in the U-Space architecture.

Objectives and Challenges of the Test Day

The main objective of the test day was to test the technical systems, the interfaces between these systems and the U-Space infrastructure using realistic flight scenarios and use cases in the Port of Hamburg. For this purpose, a detailed test plan had to be developed, test descriptions and procedures had to be defined, and relevant use cases and user roles had to be identified. In addition, an efficient briefing for all participants had to be organized to ensure a smooth test process.

Findings and results

A key finding of the test day was the high relevance of systematic logging. Based on the experience gained, a general test protocol document was created, which will make future tests more efficient.

In addition, the interfaces between the systems of the two U-Space players - the HPA as UAS operator and HHLA Sky as USSP - were successfully tested. The ground station (drone control center) was used at the HPA, but not the drone itself. The first operational processes of a UAS operator were also successfully validated.

Significance for the further development of U-Space

The successful test day provides a valuable basis for future tests, which will gradually increase in complexity. In the next phases, additional actors and systems will be integrated and real drones will be included in the tests. These test days play a crucial role in the further development of U-Space, as they allow for the validation and optimization of the interfaces and workflows between the different systems. 

Next steps

Further testing will take place in the coming months. A second test day has already been partially implemented - with simulation flights, but still without real drone missions. Additional flight tests are planned for the spring and summer of 2025.