1. Upcoming new COST Action COST297 - ‘HAPCOS’ High Altitude Platforms for Communications & Other Services NEW! Main Objective: “To increase knowledge and understanding of the use of High Altitude Platforms (HAPs) for delivery of communications and other services, by exploring, researching and developing new methods, analyses, techniques and strategies for developers, service providers, system integrators and regulators.”

2. 2 Background & Current Status Idea first mooted at CAPANINA mtg in Torino, Dec 2003 Proposal submitted Spring 2004 (by Tim Tozer, UoY) Approved by TC-TIST ctte, Dec 2004 Now awaiting formal approval by COST CSO ctte (c. March 15th) Hopefully this should be only a formality We can commence once 5 countries are signed up This is done through national representatives They have each asked individuals in their country to declare willingness to serve on Management Ctte (on basis to those identified previously) Provisional date set for Kick-off meeting of Management Ctte April 12th 2005(in Brussels)

3. 3 Key Features - COST297 4 year COST Action on HAPs and services - including, but not confined to:  Platforms  Communications  Navigation  Remote Sensing Declared ‘Main Objective’: “To increase knowledge and understanding of the use of High Altitude Platforms (HAPs) for delivery of communications and other services, by exploring, researching and developing new methods, analyses, techniques and strategies for developers, service providers, system integrators and regulators.” COST is about Research co-operation It funds travel and subsistence (and co-ordination activities) And also Short Term Missions (e.g. scientist visiting another country) It does not fund research directly

4. 4 Objectives of this Action Increase knowledge - Concerning Applications, Opportunities Co-ordinate with other Actions -inc COST 272, 273, 280, 284 + others Highlight opportunities and business models Promote understanding - across HAP applications areas - externally Identify concerns - System developers - Service Providers - HAP manufacturers Share & develop ideas 3 main categories of activity: Research & Development Workshops + Technical Visits Dissemination Public Relations Promotion To bring together: HAP developers Service developers in Communications, Positioning / Navigation Remote Sensing....others...

5. 5 Benefits of this Action Collaboration between research teams - IST funded (Currently CAPANINA; others to come?) - ESA - others in Europe - Japanese NICT - Korean ETRI - Canadian? Enhanced European competitiveness Enhanced understanding across all sectors  Will yield ‘critical mass’  More effective research  Facilitate future proposals  Encourage investment  Manufacturers  Service providers  Operators  Cross-disciplines  Innovation  Future prospects

6. 6 Scientific Programme: Potential R&D Topics To link together activities in R&D. Among principal identified topics to be addressed and researched:- Platform operating parameters, dynamics, constraints Antenna technology applied to HAPs - including pointing and steering mechanisms Payload design and integration aspects - including power supply and conditioning Optical communications link research and design Network integration and Operational Support Systems HAP operation and support Trials methodologies, results and assessment Operational cost analysis -through life costings, and business plan issues Critical HAP technologies

7. 7 Scientific Programme: Activities Workshops / Working Groups - on themes above - associated visits to laboratories etc.? - proceedings to be published Technical visits Short Term Scientific Missions - e.g. exchange of personnel Participation in Seminars & Conferences - to be catalysed and exploited Preparation of future bids - e.g. FP6 and beyond? + Virtually anything else the Action wishes to do! Where possible, COST activities could be co-located with Conferences, Project meetings etc.

8. 8 Organisation, Management, Responsibilities + other Working Groups as they evolve Management Committee - Members currently being appointed - Chair to be appointed - Co-ordinator to be appointed

9. 9 Envisaged Initial Partners Member states AustriaT.U. Wien GermanyDLR Contraves Space AG HungaryBudapest University of Technology & Economics ItalyCarlo Gavazzi Space S.p.A. Euroconcepts s.r.l. Politecnico di Torino IrelandNational University of Galway SloveniaJozef Stefan Institute SpainUniversitat Politecnica Catalunya SwitzerlandCSEM UKThe University of York Lindstrand Balloons Barclay Associates BTexact Technologies QinetiQ Cooperating states IsraelBen Gurion University of the Negev Creative Technologies Israel. Other States JapanNICT KoreaKARI (Korean Aerospace Research Institute) CanadaALCATEL RussiaGEOSCAN This list is not comprehensive or complete. We do need to expand, with more countries and people signing up to COST297.

10. 10 Way Ahead COST297 set for final formal approval Immediate priority to ensure at least 5 countries signed up to Management Ctte Urgent action to contact your national co-ordinator - if not already done so Should provide valuable opportunities for all Comments and feedback please! Additional participants invited + All ideas for specific activities welcome Please contact: Tim Tozer tct@ohm.york.ac.uk Tel: +44 (0)1904 432347 Fax:+44 (0)1904 432335