The HAPS Alliance gathered in New York City for its annual member meeting, bringing together representatives from over 50 companies and 80 colleagues across 20 countries. Under the theme Stratosphere 2025: Charting the Course to Global Operations, the in-person event offered a space to build connections, exchange ideas, and advance high-altitude platform system development.
The meeting opened with remarks from HAPS Alliance President Russ Van Der Werff, followed by a presentation from Sceye CEO Mikkel Vestergaard. Vestergaard welcomed attendees to the Explorers Club venue and highlighted the growing importance of the stratosphere for connectivity, observation, and future missions.
Throughout the event, members engaged in focused sessions across the Aviation, Defense Applications, Marketing Communications, and Telecommunications Working Groups. Updates from each group highlighted progress since the last meeting and set priorities for the year ahead. A Defense Applications panel with government partners showcased real-world considerations for stratospheric platforms in defense and security missions, demonstrating the evolving impact of HAPS technology.
Members took the stage to share real-world advancements in HAPS technology and operational applications. Highlights included:
- Involve Space shared how reusable stratospheric platforms can evolve from single missions to scalable constellations that deliver continuous monitoring and telecom services.
- TMYTEK presented phased array solutions that support non terrestrial networks and bring flexible ground to sky connectivity for future 6G systems.
- The Royal Air Force provided an update on Project AETHER, a United Kingdom Ministry of Defence program using high altitude platforms, including HAPS, for intelligence and surveillance missions.
- KAUST explored spectrum coexistence and integration of terrestrial, HAPS, and satellite networks in international mobile telecommunications.
- Kea Aerospace presented recent high altitude flights and its roadmap for long endurance stratospheric aircraft designed for multi month missions over the Pacific.
- Voltitude introduced its StratoSonde system for atmospheric data collection and ISR, along with the upcoming StratoSat 25 fixed wing HAPS platform.
- Guest presentations from the UK Civil Aviation Authority and NASA offered additional perspectives on higher airspace management, regulatory concepts, and recent simulations and demonstrations that support future HAPS operations.
With a focus on real world applications of HAPS technology, the event provided members with opportunities to share insights, compare approaches, and learn from industry peers. The Alliance continues to grow, welcoming new members from diverse sectors who bring additional expertise to the community.
If you’re interested in advancing HAPS technology and connecting the unconnected, explore more about joining the Alliance here.
