Matthias Monroy

The EU border agency wants to close a “gap” between aircraft and satellites with high-flying platforms. Spain is already using the technology against migration over the Atlantic. A test flight over the Mediterranean will take place this summer.

Frontex wants to fly so-called High Altitude Pseudo Satellites (HAPS) in the stratosphere in future, thereby closing an alleged gap between aircraft and satellites that are already used for border surveillance. In 2022, the EU had already launched a three-year research project for a total of €7 million to integrate the systems. This also looked at their suitability for border surveillance.

With the end of the project approaching, Frontex organised a so-called HAPS Industry Day at its headquarters in Warsaw on last Thursday. There, manufacturers were able to promote the possible use of their pseudo-satellites for migration defence and demonstrate their capabilities.

Two modes of operation of HAPS systems

The stratosphere is part of the atmosphere and refers to altitudes above 15 kilometres where civilian aircraft do not fly. Various companies and institutes are currently developing solutions that can fly such altitudes of 18 to 22 kilometres. They have to withstand extreme conditions such as temperatures as low as -90 degrees Celsius, strong UV and cosmic radiation and low air pressure.

There are two main categories of HAPS: aerostatic (lighter-than-air) systems such as balloons and airships, and aerodynamic (heavier-than-air) systems such as propeller-driven gliders. While the former stay in the air through lift, the latter utilise aerodynamic forces. Unlike the aircraft or drones used by Frontex, for example, both technologies can operate for months in the stratosphere and provide highly precise data. Their main energy source is solar panels, which convert sunlight into electricity during the day and store excess energy in high-performance batteries or fuel cells to ensure operation at night.

Frontex awarded the contract for the first test of an ‘advanced surveillance platform to improve the EURopean Multi Authority BordeR Security efficiency and cooperation’ to a consortium of 16 companies, ministries, authorities and institutes from twelve member states. The funding came from the EU’s Horizon Europe research framework programme. A Thales product was trialled in the project. The French defence company developed the ‘Stratobus’, which it used to combat terrorism and drug trafficking or for ‘video surveillance’ of offshore platforms.

Research projects and possible applications

Frontex also launched a research study in 2022 to analyse the potential of HAPS for European border troops. The study examined how the platforms could improve surveillance and communication capabilities. A year later, Frontex finally published a report on the technological assessment of HAPS, which analysed their potential for surveillance, telecommunications, navigation and search and rescue operations. Aerostatic and aerodynamic platforms were compared. Of particular interest was the payload capacity, which is 140 kilograms for winged platforms and up to 300 kilograms for airships and balloons.

The pseudo-satellites can be equipped with high-resolution optical cameras, infrared sensors and radar systems for border surveillance. For this purpose, technology developed for the military can be used, such as image processing technologies for the automatic detection of objects, movements or anomalies. The data obtained is transmitted to ground stations in real time via high-frequency radio links or laser communication. Compared to satellites, HAPS offer a higher frame rate and more flexible control of camera orientation, allowing them to monitor specific areas in a targeted and continuous manner.

For telecommunication and navigation tasks, HAPS use directional antenna systems and phased array technologies to send signals to specific regions. Their low flight altitude compared to satellites significantly reduces the signal delay and enables stable connections with low latency. Unlike many satellite systems, they also remain above a region of interest and can therefore provide permanent data.

Regulation and first deployments in Europe

In addition to Frontex, stakeholders such as the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and a joint group of authorities are currently working on a technical and legal framework for a ‘European Concept for Higher Altitude Operations’ (ECHO-2), which should enable HAPS operations within the EU. The first missions are expected to take place this year. For example, a test flight over the Mediterranean is planned for May and June.

HAPS require specific take-off and landing infrastructures: aerodynamic systems require long runways, aerostatic systems require large open areas without obstacles. In order to be able to test the systems, the EU has co-financed the first European ‘Stratoport’ for HAPS in Europe on the island of Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands. A 900 metre asphalted runway has been built there, as well as circular zones, hangars and a building for control and data processing.

Regular HAPS flights for border surveillance are now to be carried out from there for the first time. On behalf of the Spanish Guardia Civil, the Atlantic Ocean between Gambia and the Canary Islands will be monitored from the stratosphere. With the help of unspecified sensors on board the pseudo-satellites, boats carrying migrants are to be ‘recognised at an early stage’. The deployment of the HAPS is intended to enable the responsible border authorities to ‘respond proactively and effectively’. This €1.86 million ‘Agamenon’ project is largely financed by the European Regional Development Fund.

Image: The Stratobus was developed by the French armaments company Thales (CC-BY-SA 4.0 Thales Alenia Space, Collage netzpolitik.org).