Aalto Plans to Launch Stratospheric Port in Kenya

The ports will include various units such as launch and landing ports, maintenance facilities, assembly lines capable of producing up to 50 aircraft per year, an operations center, and customer support facilities.

Key Highlights

• Aalto to launch first AALTO Port in Kenya.
• Aalto secures USD 100 million Investment for stratospheric pseudo satellites development

Aalto, a subsidiary of Airbus Aerospace and a global leader in connectivity and earth observation services has announced a significant milestone. The organisation has raised USD 100 million from a consortium of Japanese companies, propelling the development of its stratospheric pseudo satellites.

NTT Docomo, a leading mobile operator, will spearhead the investment round to unlock the potential of Aalto’s fixed-wing Zephyr drone. The Zephyr drone is poised to provide connectivity in remote areas typically served by satellite. Other investors in the round include the Development Bank of Japan, financial services firm Mizuho Bank, and Space Compass, a joint venture between NTT Docomo’s parent company and Sky Perfect JSAT.

Investment in Aalto’s Zephyr Drone Awaiting Regulatory Approval and Set to Advance Global Services by 2026

Regardless, the investment in Aalto is contingent upon regulatory approvals and follows a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2022 between Aalto, NTT Docomo, and Space Compass. According to Samer Halawi, Aalto’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the funding will facilitate the development required to commence global commercial services by 2026. “This includes launching several customer missions over the coming year, establishing launch and landing sites for Zephyr, and advancing our certification process”.

“Zephyr plays a key role in the space and defence ecosystem,” Jean-Brice Dumont, head of air power at Airbus Defence and Space, stated, “serving both commercial and government sectors from the stratosphere.” Furthermore, Aalto has primarily conducted Zephyr test flights in the United States but plans to initiate experimental missions from its first AALTO Port in Kenya in 2024. Though AALTO is currently in talks with the Kenyan government, plans are subject to regulatory approvals from the Kenyan government.