In Episode 49 of the Chasing Space podcast, host Brenden Swanik speaks with two HAPS Alliance leaders about shaping a new frontier in aerospace:
- Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen, founder and CEO of Sceye and HAPS Alliance Director.
- Russ Van Der Werff, VP of Stratospheric Solutions at Aerostar and President of the HAPS Alliance.
Their focus is on the rise of high altitude platform stations (HAPS). Unlike satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) or geostationary orbit (GEO), HAPS platforms remain stationary or semi-stationary over a specific region for extended periods, creating a persistent presence that can support communications, sensing, and monitoring.
As Van Der Werff puts it, this is “one of the few truly unexploited areas,” where new capabilities are still being defined.
A New Layer Between Earth and Space
HAPS platforms occupy a unique position — far closer to Earth than satellites, yet high enough to deliver wide-area coverage. This proximity enables lower latency for communications and more detailed sensing, while avoiding the cost and complexity of orbital systems.
Frandsen describes the HAPS opportunity in practical terms: platforms operating in the stratosphere can act as “a layer of infrastructure,” supporting multiple applications simultaneously. These include telecommunications, wildfire detection, ocean monitoring, and disaster response.
This positioning also introduces a compelling complement to existing systems. Rather than competing with satellites or terrestrial networks, HAPS can extend and enhance them — particularly in regions where traditional infrastructure is not economically viable.
Why Collaboration Matters
A central theme of the discussion is the role of the HAPS Alliance, the industry body working to accelerate adoption of these technologies.
In an emerging field, companies that might otherwise compete are instead collaborating to solve shared challenges. These include regulatory frameworks, airspace coordination, and technical standards.
Frandsen captures this dynamic clearly: in a new category, companies are “much more frenemies than anything else,” because collective progress benefits everyone.
From Flights to Fleets
The conversation repeatedly returns to scale. While early demonstrations have proven that HAPS platforms can operate reliably, the next phase is about moving from individual flights to coordinated fleets.
Fleet management — the ability to deploy, monitor, and control large numbers of platforms simultaneously — is essential to unlocking the full value of the stratosphere. This includes real-time coordination, automated operations, and integration with existing communication networks.
Expanding Use Cases — Known and Unknown
The immediate applications for HAPS are compelling: rural connectivity, disaster response, environmental monitoring, and defense. These are areas where persistent coverage over specific regions delivers clear value.
However, both guests emphasize that the most transformative applications may not yet be defined.
Frandsen draws a parallel to the early days of smartphones: when the first iPhone launched, few could predict the range of applications that would follow. The same logic applies to HAPS — once the infrastructure is in place, new use cases will emerge.
A Path Toward Normalization
Looking ahead, the vision is not simply technological advancement, but normalization.
In the coming decade, HAPS platforms could become a familiar part of the global landscape — as routine as satellites overhead or aircraft in flight. Instead of prompting curiosity, they will be recognized as part of the infrastructure that supports daily life.
As Van Der Werff puts it, the goal is a future where people look up and understand what they see: a platform providing connectivity, monitoring environmental conditions, or supporting critical services.