EU research


Research study on High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellites: project closure

2023-12-07

Can High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite technology become a capability enabler for Frontex and innovative solution for internal security? The final report from the Frontex-led research has just been released. It describes the potential and the benefits that this emerging technology may offer for the observation of the borders, telecommunication, and navigation without forgetting the important aspect of fundamental rights.

At the end of 2022, Frontex launched a research study on High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellites, known as HAPS, which are advanced unmanned flying systems that operate in the stratosphere. The main purpose of the study was to assess whether HAPS could potentially address operational gaps identified by the European Border and Coast Guard community and by other members of the EU Innovation Hub for Internal Security.


All aspects under the magnifying glass

Three distinct, yet interlinked questions were researched by the study team:

  • What is the current state of the HAPS market and what are the key trends, players, and emerging technologies in this field?
  • What are the technical capabilities, limitations, and requirements for HAPS and how can they be effectively integrated into the operational activities?
  • What potential impacts, both positive and negative, could the deployment of HAPS have on operations and how can these impacts be maximised or mitigated?

Each of these questions were addressed in three separate reports:

  • HAPS market report provided insights into the landscape surrounding the deployment of HAPS;
  • Technological assessment report offered a condensed overview and analysis of the HAPS platforms and associated technologies, including payloads currently under development by the main manufacturers;
  • HAPS preliminary assessment of the impact on fundamental rights (available below) identifies the fundamental rights that could potentially be affected by the implementation of HAPS technology in their operations.

The future of HAPS and key findings

With the impending market entry of both heavier-than-air (HTA) and lighter-than-air (LTA) platforms, the years to come signal a promising future for HAPS technology. As HAPS solutions will progressively enter their operating phase, the service revenues are expected to become their main revenue stream. This will create a new business model of HAPS-as-a-service, which Frontex will most likely benefit from in the foreseeable future.

The final report offers a comprehensive overview of all market, technical and fundamental rights aspects associated with HAPS whereas the accompanying booklet and the fourth insight summarise the project’s results in a succinct way.

For more details, you may also watch a recorded webinar of approximately 40 minutes.


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