Satellites helping to modernise railways

Satellites will soon make train travel safer by improving how the networks are controlled in remote areas where ground equipment is too costly, according to a communiqué issued by the European Space Agency on 12th May.

Satellite antenna on the cabin roof of a train

For the first time in Europe, a project co-funded by the ESA has shown how navigation and telecommunication satellites can be used together with existing rail signalling systems.

Engineers test the system

Train drivers receive information via satellite