U-Space Wiki: ReFMap Partners Join as Early Collaborators to Build a Shared Language for Europe’s Future Airspace

The landing page of U-Space wiki public glossary

When the future flies through our cities, the words describing it should not fly over our heads.

A new public glossary designed to help Europe navigate the fast-evolving world of Urban Air Mobility (UAM), Innovative Air Mobility (IAM), and drone operations is now live.

U-Space Wiki provides accessible, non-technical yet clear explanations of terms used in discussions about drones, U-space services, and related emerging aviation systems, aiming to bridge the gap between the technical jargon used by researchers and drone industry experts and colloquial communication typically targeted towards policymakers, city authorities, and citizens.

A common language for the future of our skies

As Europe moves closer to integrating drones and electric air vehicles into everyday life, one challenge has become increasingly clear: there is still no common language to describe this emerging field. Terminology is often highly technical, fragmented across disciplines, and unfamiliar to those not deeply involved in the aviation industry.

Even within the community, definitions of concepts such as UTM, SWIM, U-space services or geo-awareness can vary, creating gaps in understanding between regulators, researchers, cities, industry, and the public.

“Understanding should never be a barrier to innovation. We want to ensure that everyone: citizens, municipalities, policy makers, and engineers, can follow the progress with clarity and confidence. This glossary is not just a tool. It is an invitation to take part in the conversation about the future of our skies.” Anna Palaiologk, Founder & Head of Research, Future Needs

A video introduction to U-Space Wiki, created by Future Needs

Making complex concepts accessible to everyone

Recognising that people absorb information in different ways, the wiki presents each term through a combination of concise text, colour-coded visuals, and light storytelling. Illustrated cards and intuitive icons help concepts feel immediately familiar, while short narrative scenes show how these terms appear in real urban settings. This visual layer not only supports visual learners but also makes complex ideas easier to recognise, recall, and connect.

A visual term card from U-Space Wiki

A living collaborative tool that builds on Europe’s aviation knowledge

U-Space Wiki builds on the extensive work already carried out by Europe’s aviation community, including SESAR, EUSPA and EASA. Rather than duplicating existing glossaries, the platform complements them by focusing specifically on U-space and urban drone operations and addressing a distinct target group.

The wiki is designed from the ground up to be collaborative and transparent. Each term includes references to its original source, allowing users to trace definitions back to the organisations that first introduced them. Furthermore, each term includes a visible history showing how the definition has evolved.

At the same time, the wiki is continuously updated through community participation. Visitors can both submit new terms for inclusion and act as experts by reviewing or refining terminology descriptions to ensure the language remains simple and accessible, while still reflecting the state of the art.

This open contribution model allows U-Space Wiki to grow alongside Europe’s air mobility ecosystem, ensuring that the language used to describe U-space remains accurate, accessible, and shaped by both working directly in the field and being affected by its progress.

Supporting a society ready for Urban Air Mobility

Beyond offering clarity, U-Space Wiki also contributes to Europe’s broader societal readiness for emerging air mobility. As drones and air taxis move closer to everyday use, society needs tools that help people understand, question, and actively shape how these technologies are introduced.

By making terminology transparent and accessible, the wiki empowers citizens, authorities, researchers, and industry to participate confidently in conversations about the future of our skies. In this way, U-Space Wiki is more than a glossary. It is a practical resource supporting responsible, inclusive innovation across Europe.

First contributors

The first set of terms in U-Space Wiki has been hand-picked and referenced by Future Needs and then reviewed by project partners from the Horizon Europe projects ReFMap and ImAFUSA, ensuring accuracy, neutrality, and alignment with current European research and regulation.

“Shared terminology is the foundation of effective collaboration. When researchers, cities, and industry align their language, we enable safer, smarter, and more socially accepted drone operations.” Prof. Antonio J. Torija Martinez, University of Salford

U-Space Wiki is now publicly available and ready to grow with Europe’s air mobility community. We invite researchers, city representatives, industry experts, students, and curious citizens to explore the glossary, suggest new terms, and help refine existing definitions. Visit www.uspacewiki.eu to learn the language shaping Europe’s airspace future, and contribute to building a shared understanding of tomorrow’s skies.