Fuerteventura:Mira Aerospace, a subsidiary of Space42, in collaboration with Telespazio Ib©rica, a part of Leonardo Space, has initiated a wildfire-monitoring mission in Spain utilizing high-altitude platforms.
According to Emirates News Agency, the mission's inaugural flight employed the ApusNeo18 HAPS model, which departed from the Canarias Stratoport for HAPS and UAS located on Fuerteventura island. This flight is part of the ISSEC project, supported by Fuerteventura Technology Park.
The flight, lasting 29 hours, reached an altitude of approximately 16,000 feet, setting two European records for HAPS flights. It successfully delivered live, high-resolution video and images through electro-optical and infrared sensors. Following this demonstration, additional flights are scheduled throughout October, aiming to increase operating altitudes toward the stratosphere and extend the platform's range to Gran Canaria.
Khaled Al Marzooqi, CEO of Mira Aerospace, stated that achieving these HAPS flight records in Europe showcases the advanced Earth observation capabilities of the UAE-based company. The mission aims to advance ApusNeo18 towards consistent deployment, offering persistent monitoring paired with real-time data delivery to Telespazio Ib©rica, complementing existing satellite, aerial, and ground-based data.
Carlos Fern¡ndez de la Pe±a, CEO of Telespazio Ib©rica, remarked that the milestones achieved illustrate the progress of HAPS technology from validation flights to extended, operational missions. The initiative enhances wildfire prevention, surveillance, and emergency response capabilities.
This mission builds on previous ApusNeo18 testing for Telespazio Ib©rica, marking a first in Europe under civilian operational authorization. Future flights will adhere to operational requirements, dependent on permits, weather, and airspace availability.
ApusNeo18, a solar-powered HAPS, is designed to operate at stratospheric altitudes, carrying Earth observation payloads. Positioned between conventional aviation and satellites, it allows for persistent monitoring of targeted areas with mission-specific sensors, enriching real-time intelligence for wildfire response.
The flights support the ISSEC project, part of a broader biodiversity initiative funded by the Government of the Canary Islands and European NextGenerationEU funds through the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism, within Spain's Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan. The program aligns with Canarias Geo Innovation 2030, promoted by the Fuerteventura Island Council and Government of the Canary Islands, and supports the Canary Islands Aerospace Strategy alongside the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities' Complementary Biodiversity Programme, co-financed by the European Commission.