NASSAT StratoEdge HAPS: Stratospheric Connectivity with Edge Analytics
NASSAT presents StratoEdge HAPS, a stratospheric platform designed to bring connectivity and computing to the point of need. The system operates between 18 and 22 km altitude with an estimated service footprint of 100–200 km radius per aircraft. The communications architecture combines optical and microwave backhaul with GEO/LEO satellite backup links. The design objective is to exceed 1 Gbps of backhaul with end-to-end latencies below 50 ms. The payload is modular: multi-band radios (L/Ku/Ka), private 4G/5G and NTN compatibility in accordance with 3GPP Rel-17/18. An SDR (software-defined radio) allows waveform and bandwidth adjustment to meet regulatory requirements. StratoEdge incorporates onboard computing with a Jetson-family GPU to execute inference and data aggregation in real time. The edge approach reduces traffic: relevant events are transmitted and critical flows are prioritised, improving operational response. For emergencies, the platform can deploy a temporary 4G/5G cell that restores communications within minutes over isolated areas. The system supports massive IoT through LoRaWAN and 5G NR-RedCap for environmental sensing and logistics. FIPAS-Edge is integrated as the onboard version of NASSAT's fire prediction and remote sensing system. FIPAS-Edge fuses thermal hotspots, meteorological data and geospatial rules to generate alerts with consolidated confidence thresholds. Cybersecurity includes end-to-end encryption, verified boot and key management in secure hardware. The validation plan covers laboratory testing, captive balloon and flight in a controlled environment. The solution is complementary to terrestrial networks: it adds a layer from above where fixed infrastructure does not reach or is vulnerable. Use cases encompass business continuity, environmental surveillance, aerial corridors and temporary coverage at events. With StratoEdge HAPS, NASSAT accelerates the practical adoption of HAPS, intelligent connectivity and analytics where they are most needed.
NASSAT - Network Satellite Systems