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Aerospace and Defense Review

Murzilli Consulting to Lead Aerospace Project in Fuerteventura

M&K UAS & SPACE SPAIN SL, dba Murzilli Consulting, the consultancy firm offering 360° services for regulation, technology and strategy for innovative aviation stakeholders, has been selected as the prime contractor for a groundbreaking aerospace project at the Parque Tecnológico de Fuerteventura SA, MP (Fuerteventura Technology Park) in Fuerteventura, Spain.

About the Project: Airspace Design and U-Space Risk Assessment

The Canarias Stratoport for HAPS & UAS  is an infrastructure project designed to centralise long-distance operations for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and high-altitude platform systems (HAPS) at various altitudes — low, medium and high — while operating beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS). Located in Fuerteventura, Spain, the Stratoport aims to establish itself as Europe’s top facility for real-world aerospace operations. Unlike traditional demonstration sites, this infrastructure is fully equipped for actual missions, providing features such as drone hangars, high-altitude sensors and advanced operational facilities for the 80% of Europe’s leading space companies set to conduct missions here. As explained in Diario de Fuerteventura, the Stratoport is attracting leading aerospace companies such as Thales Alenia Space and Skydweller, all of which are set to operate at this facility.

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The Stratoport integrates traditional aviation, space technologies, drone operations and advanced traffic management into a single, cohesive platform. Consequently, key project activities include researching optimal airspace areas for future UAS and HAPS operations across different altitudes — very low level (VLL), medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE), high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) and high-altitude operations (HAO), such as balloons and HAPS. Additionally, the project involves studying both European and national airspace as well as stratospheric regulations to ensure proper risk assessment and seamless integration of these operations into air traffic management (ATM) services. For the above reasons, the project includes Spain’s first U-space airspace risk assessment (ARA) fully delivered by a private company, setting a new benchmark for safety, cost-effectiveness and speed of innovation in the sector. Another first for this project is the requirement to deliver an entire aerospace framework by creating permanent airspace structures and dedicated flight corridors specifically for HAPS operations.

First Social Acceptance Study for HAPS in the World

The Canarias Stratoport for HAPS & UAS is not only pioneering technological advancements but also breaking new ground with the world’s first social acceptance study for HAPS. Conducted in partnership with DroneTalks, Murzilli Consulting’s sister company, this initiative will engage communities through small video surveys to gauge public perception and acceptance of HAPS technologies. The study is a critical component of integrating aerospace advancements into society, addressing concerns and fostering dialogue around the environmental and societal impacts of these technologies. By gathering insights from local and global communities, this project will ensure that the growth of HAPS and UAS operations at the Stratoport is aligned with public sentiment and sustainable development practices.

The Consortium

Murzilli Consulting’s Director of Regulatory Affairs and Commercial Space, Juan José Sola, will lead the consortium of prominent aerospace companies, including the Andalusian Foundation for Aerospace Development (FADA) and Navya Solutions, in delivering such complex aerospace initiative, managing everything from the Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA) standardisation for the Stratoport to the U-Space ARA and beyond. The work will be closely coordinated with air navigation service providers (ANSPs), including ENAIRE and military authorities.

As the prime contractor in this ambitious project, M&K UAS & SPACE SPAIN SL, dba Murzilli Consulting, is leading the charge in coordinating various stakeholders and ensuring seamless operations across multiple domains, from flight testing to regulatory compliance. Beyond simply offering consulting services, the firm will deliver real technological solutions, such as integrating HAPS with ground-based high-altitude sensors, validating platforms through BVLOS tests and ultimately creating an integrated environment for traditional and innovative aviation operations.

Lorenzo Murzilli, Managing Director of the group's mother company, M&K Global AG, (together with Eszter Kovács), is thrilled: “The Fuerteventura project, won against intense global competition, marks a breakthrough for Murzilli Consulting as a powerhouse in aerospace innovation. This win cements our transition from a bold startup to a trusted industry leader. It underscores our unmatched ability to drive real, impactful results in the face of complex technical and regulatory challenges. Murzilli Consulting is rewriting the playbook on aerospace innovation — and Fuerteventura is just the beginning.”

Juan José Sola, project lead, added: “This project means extending uncrewed aerial operations to new scenarios that will allow optimising applications of great use to society, prioritising safety.”

"Knowing the Canary Islands airspace and its complexity, coordination with the ANSPs and their ATS services is exquisite for the success of the project," complemented Marina Estal Muñoz, Murzilli Consulting’s Senior Consultant for Airspace.

Eduardo Pereira González, CEO and Project Manager at Fuerteventura Technological Park (PTFSA) and Coordinator of the Canarias Geo Innovation Program 2030, added: "The Fuerteventura Stratoport project positions the Canary Islands on the map of UAS and HAPS operations thanks mainly to the regional drive, and aims to enable innovative solutions with high added value for citizens and the various administrations."

 

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