The High-Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS) stratospheric balloon. (Photo by Thales Alenia Space)

Spanish satellite operator Hispasat and Thales Alenia Space are jointly preparing a stratospheric balloon demonstration for 4G/5G telecom applications. Scheduled for October 2018 in southern Spain, the demonstration will test 4G/5G applications by allowing direct communications between smartphones and a High-Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS) – a stratospheric balloon.

Thales Alenia Space is serving as Hispasat’s prime contractor for this demonstration and offering its payload expertise of 4G/5G telecommunication missions. The company will team up with Spanish technology firm Zero 2 Infinity, which will provide the stratospheric balloon, while Thales develops the future full-scale stratospheric airship, Stratobus.

“[Stratobus] is a stratospheric airship that combines the best of drones and satellites to provide a low-cost system that offers autonomous operation and permanent regional coverage, while offering an excellent fit with satellite systems,” said Jean Loic Galle, CEO of Thales Alenia Space. “Stratobus is designed for a wide range of civil or military applications, including telecommunications, navigation and surveillance. Its position in the stratosphere at an attitude of 20 kilometers is optimal for 4G and 5G telecommunications, with signals sent directly to the end-user’s smartphone in just milliseconds.”