DRDO Successfully Tests Indigenous High-Altitude Platform

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight-tested an indigenous High-Altitude Platform (HAPS) on 6 October 2026. The platform reached 21 km above mean sea level and remained at 20 km for more than 30 minutes before being safely recovered. 

• Developer: Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), Agra, under DRDO.
• Technology: A lighter-than-air platform designed for long-duration operations in the stratosphere.
• Equipment: Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), GPS receiver, onboard cameras and an altitude-control system.
• Applications: Persistent aerial surveillance, intelligence gathering, Earth observation, communications and disaster management.
• Significance: The trial advances indigenous high-altitude aerospace technology and supports the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
• Coordination: The trial involved the Indian Air Force, CEMILAC, DGCA, Airports Authority of India and other civil authorities. 

HAPS refers to a platform operating in the stratosphere, generally at around 20–50 km altitude under the International Telecommunication Union's definition. It can provide persistent regional coverage from closer to Earth than satellites and can potentially be recovered for maintenance.

MCQ – English

Q. Consider the following statements about High-Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS):

1. They can operate in the stratosphere.
2. They can support aerial surveillance and Earth observation.
3. They operate exclusively in outer space.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (b) 

Explanation: HAPS operate in the atmosphere, generally in the stratosphere, and can support surveillance, communications and Earth observation. They are not satellites operating in outer space.