NASSAT Stratospheric HAPS Communication System
In a decisive step towards the evolution of high-altitude communications, NASSAT has presented its new stratospheric connectivity system designed specifically for HAPS (High Altitude Platform Systems) platforms and next-generation airships. This initiative marks a significant advance in the capacity to deploy autonomous communication networks in remote, unserved or disaster-affected areas, with a focus on energy efficiency, low latency and operational reliability. The system, developed in collaboration with several European R&D centres, integrates a modular architecture based on radiofrequency links in Ku/Ka bands and a redundant L-band channel for secure control and telemetry. The core of the system comprises a lightweight VSAT module (model A045-36A) with dual-band capability, a KANDU (Ku/Ka-band Aircraft Networking Data Unit) subsystem for dynamic network management, and a KRFU (Ku/Ka Dual-Band Radio Frequency Unit) optimised for operation under extreme pressure and temperature conditions. The NASSAT solution achieves a horizontal coverage of up to 500 km in diameter at an operational altitude of 20,000 metres, guaranteeing continuous connectivity for both real-time data transmission and encrypted IP voice services. Preliminary tests conducted on Airship prototypes with hybrid solar architecture confirmed a link stability exceeding 98% during flights of more than 8 hours in a controlled stratospheric atmosphere. From a technical standpoint, the system incorporates an ACM adaptive modulation protocol with automatic reconfiguration according to channel conditions, and a processing unit that executes AI algorithms for traffic prioritisation, fault detection and autonomous management of satellite backup routes. The reference ground station has been installed in southern Spain, equipped with redundant links via GEO constellations and terrestrial FTTH infrastructure. In addition, the incorporation of LEO nodes is planned to extend response capacity in mobile environments, such as continuous observation missions, maritime surveillance or deployment in rural areas without cellular coverage. According to statements from NASSAT's Technical Directorate, the system has been designed under criteria of low weight, reduced energy consumption (< 50W in continuous mode), UV radiation tolerance and compliance with RTCA DO-160 standards for unmanned aviation. From a regulatory perspective, the company has initiated certification procedures with EASA and the ITU, with particular attention to spectrum sharing and interoperability with existing defence, meteorology and emergency response systems. This advance positions NASSAT as one of the first European providers to offer an operational, scalable and customisable stratospheric communications solution, for both civil missions and national security applications. The integration of this technology will enable governments, NGOs and operators to deploy temporary high-capacity communication networks without the need for terrestrial infrastructure, and with latency approaching that of urban 5G networks. It also opens the way to new scenarios for scientific observation, environmental monitoring and climate crisis response from the stratosphere. NASSAT plans to conduct a public demonstration of the complete system in the third quarter of 2025, including a validation flight over the region of Andalusia with real-time retransmission of HD video, sensor data and operational telemetry. This development consolidates NASSAT's position as a reference in next-generation communication solutions, and establishes a precedent for the coming decade of aerial and space connectivity.
NASSAT - Network Satellite Systems