Soaring to New Heights: Mira Aerospace Revolutionizes European Airspace with Trailblazing HAPS Innovation.
Mira Aerospace, a cutting-edge subsidiary of Space42 (ADX: SPACE42), has marked a significant milestone by successfully executing the first High Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS) flight in Europe, backed by civilian operational approval.
This landmark mission utilized Mira Aerospace’s flagship model, the ApusNeo18, in partnership with Telespazio Ibérica (part of the Leonardo group). It showcases a transformative approach to integrating HAPS technology into civilian airspace, delivering essential real-time intelligence for both environmental and emergency monitoring.
Strategic Leadership in Geospatial Intelligence
Khaled Al Marzooqi, CEO of Mira Aerospace and Space42, stated:
“Achieving Europe’s inaugural HAPS flight with civilian approval exemplifies the international traction behind Space42’s ambition to become the leading global partner for premium geospatial intelligence. With rising wildfire threats, our HAPS platforms are equipped to maintain a detailed, real-time tactical view of fire fronts. This operation for Telespazio Ibérica confirms the operational and commercial value of our AI-driven data, enabling governments and first responders to enhance their emergency response while cutting costs significantly.”
Carlos Fernández de la Peña, CEO of Telespazio Ibérica, contributed:
“This debut flight elevates our initiative to unprecedented heights. It not only navigates complex regulatory challenges but also demonstrates exceptional technological capabilities in monitoring and combating ‘sixth-generation’ wildfires, which pose increasingly severe threats. This marks a notable advancement in European civil protection efforts.”
HAPS: Pioneering the Future of Wildfire Response
This mission is part of the innovative ISSEC program, a collaboration between Telespazio Ibérica and Pegasus Aero Group, aimed at revitalizing Spain’s wildfire response framework. HAPS effectively bridge the gap between satellites and conventional aircraft, providing satellite-like persistence alongside aircraft-level flexibility. Equipped with high-resolution electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) imaging capabilities, the ApusNeo18 is an indispensable asset for national infrastructure protection and disaster management.
Operational Excellence & Flight Logistics
The ApusNeo18 took to the skies on December 12, 2025, from the Fuerteventura Technology Park, recognized as Europe’s leading facility for such advanced operations. The aircraft boasts impressive technical specifications:
- Wingspan: 18 meters.
- Length: 12 meters.
- Weight: Approximately 45 kilograms (constructed using ultralight carbon-fiber materials).
During its inaugural flight, the aircraft ascended to an altitude of 2,000 feet, with future missions scheduled over Gran Canaria. The flight operational strategy involves a phased validation approach, aiming to incrementally increase altitudes to 16,000 feet and extend endurance for up to 48 hours of continuous stratospheric operation.
The data gathered from these missions will lay the groundwork for future commercial stratospheric services, further solidifying Mira Aerospace’s pivotal role within the global civil protection framework.
