Hyderabad: Vijayawada-based near space startup Red Balloon Aerospace Private Limited has partnered with Armenia’s private space research player Bazoomq Space Research Laboratory to jointly develop and test stratospheric platforms, payload integration methods, and onboard artificial intelligence applications.
The agreement was announced three weeks after Red Balloon Aerospace launched India’s first indigenous stratospheric super-pressure balloon platform, VISTA, marking the Indian near-space startup’s first international research partnership.
Mission SANA Success
Red Balloon Aerospace's stratospheric balloon hovered over the Vijayawada skies as part of Mission SANA, successfully conducted on May 27. The mission carried commercial payloads to the stratosphere, placing India among a small group of nations with such capability.
MoU Details
Under the memorandum of understanding signed by the two companies, they will plan stratospheric demonstration campaigns, test payloads in near-space conditions, conduct atmospheric research, and develop edge computing, autonomy, and data workflows. They may also pursue government programs, grants, and customer-funded prototypes, with specific activities to be outlined in future work plans.
A file shot shows Red Balloon Aerospace's stratospheric balloon preparing for launch. The balloon was successfully launched in Vijayawada on May 27 as part of Mission SANA.
Executive Statements
Red Balloon Aerospace co-founder and CEO Dr. CVS Kiran said stratospheric platforms complement satellites by offering localized coverage, faster deployment, and practical access to near-space missions. Bazoomq CEO and co-founder Avetik Grigoryan noted that the partnership would help Armenia’s private space sector move toward practical international collaboration in near-space capabilities, advanced payload integration, and edge computing. Bazoomq co-founder and board member Hayk Martirosyan added that high-altitude platform systems could support persistent observation, resilient communications, and faster testing of advanced payloads.
Bazoomq has previously flown stratospheric balloons with AYAS Aerospace Society, capturing imagery of Armenia from about 30 kilometers altitude. The partners said their collaboration will follow a test-first model before more advanced missions are attempted.
