AALTO, an Airbus subsidiary that manufactures, operates and delivers services using Zephyr, has launched its ‘Be the Interface’ campaign, an call-out for partners to collaborate on the development, integration and commercialisation of payloads. With Zephyr’s capabilities demonstrated over more than two decades, AALTO is preparing for initial commercial operations in 2026.

As part of the campaign, launched at World Space Business Week in Paris, AALTO will open its technical interface at Industry Days at its manufacturing facility in November. The company will explore integration opportunities and technical specifications directly between its commercial, engineering and procurement teams and selected payload providers.

With technical advancements, international regulatory approval, and operational progress from its first launch and landing location in Kenya, AALTO says it is positioned to capitalise on the demand for high altitude capabilities from commercial and government sectors. Be the Interface marks the growing maturity of this operational domain – Stratospace – positioned between most of air traffic and low-Earth orbit where high altitude platforms deliver services to customers.

Weighing just 75kg with a 25m wingspan, Zephyr is a fixed-wing Stratocraft with engineering characteristics designed to withstand extreme operating conditions. This requires specific technical and environmental parameters for payloads to be effectively installed on Zephyr – including high power volumes; access to aircraft GPS/INS feed and command-and-control datalinks; as well as an operational envelope of up to 80,000ft where temperatures range from -80°C to +60°C.

AALTO’s three core markets for the launch of commercial operations are Earth Observation, Government, and Connectivity. Within these markets, Zephyr can operate as a complementary, cost-effective and flexible asset to provide real-time, persistent coverage across vast geographies. This includes delivering applications ranging from government ISR and C4I missions, connectivity-on-demand and high-resolution mapping during natural disasters.

Hughes Boulnois, CEO of AALTO, said: “AALTO is building a new domain of aerospace. With the commercial demand for capabilities in Stratospace increasing across sectors, AALTO is working actively with our supply chain and regulators to deliver our unique end-to-end solution. By collaborating with payload specialists globally, we can ensure that services in connectivity, monitoring, and intelligence can be deployed rapidly and at global scale.”

Pierre-Antoine Aubourg, CTO of AALTO and campaign leader for Be the Interface, added: “Our vision for Stratospace can only be achieved in a global ecosystem. By opening our technical and commercial interface to credible partners, we can facilitate new markets for payload companies while AALTO focuses on expanding its service-delivery business model. Through this work, we are sending a clear message: Stratospace is underpinned by technology innovation and collaboration.”

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Tags: Aalto, satellite, Space