AALTO HAPS Ltd, an Airbus subsidiary specializing in the design, manufacture, and operation of the Zephyr High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS), has completed its first stratospheric flight and testing from its custom-built AALTOPORT facility in Laikipia County, Kenya.
Zephyr soared above 60,000 feet for over 13 days, carrying a payload developed at AALTO’s Farnborough headquarters. This payload enables direct-to-device (D2D) 4/5G connectivity, offering video and data services through compatibility with smartphone technology. AALTO utilized this flight to test and evaluate the performance of the connectivity system while also validating improvements to Zephyr’s flight envelope, ensuring enhanced stability and performance.
Following 18 months of regulatory discussions and technical studies, AALTO received permission to establish the AALTOPORT for stratospheric operations in 2024. The Kenya Space Agency and Kenya Civil Aviation Authority provided valuable support, helping secure flight approvals and positioning Kenya as a leader in global HAPS innovation, which also supports AALTO’s expansion plans.
Hughes Boulnois, CEO of AALTO, stated: “Zephyr’s return to stratospheric testing marks a significant milestone in our commercial roadmap. AALTO is demonstrating the unrivaled performance and flexibility of Zephyr, which complements traditional space and defense ecosystems. With game-changing applications as a payload-agnostic platform, Zephyr is crucial to driving technological innovation across connectivity and Earth observation markets.”
Brigadier Hillary B. Kipkosgey, Acting Director General/CEO of the Kenya Space Agency, emphasized: “HAPS offers unique capabilities with significant potential for various sectors. Through our collaboration with AALTO, we are proud to solidify Kenya’s role as a global leader in advancing near-space technology.”
