M&K UAS & SPACE SPAIN SL, dba Murzilli Consulting, a consulting firm offering 360° regulatory, technology and strategy services to innovative players in the aviation sector, has been selected as prime contractor for a pioneering aerospace project at the Fuerteventura Technology Park SA, MP, in Fuerteventura, Spain.
About the project: U-Space airspace design and risk assessment
The Canarias Stratoport for HAPS & UAS is an infrastructure project designed to centralize long-range operations for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and high-altitude platform systems (HAPS) at various altitudes—low, medium, and high—while operating beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). Located in Fuerteventura, Spain, the Stratoport aims to become the leading European facility for real-world aerospace operations. Unlike traditional demonstration spaces, this infrastructure is fully equipped for actual missions, with drone hangars, high-altitude sensors, and advanced operational facilities for 80% of the leading European space companies that will conduct missions here. According to Diario de Fuerteventura , the Stratoport is attracting leading aerospace companies such as Thales Alenia Space and Skydweller , which will operate from these facilities.
Stratoport integrates traditional aviation, space technologies, drone operations, and advanced air traffic management into a single, cohesive platform. Consequently, key project activities include studying optimal airspace zones for future UAS and HAPS operations at 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. Furthermore, the project involves studying 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. Therefore, the project includes the first U-Space airspace risk assessment conducted entirely by a private company in Spain, setting a new benchmark for safety, cost-effectiveness, and rapid innovation in the sector. Another first of this project is the requirement to provide a complete aerospace framework by creating permanent airspace structures and flight corridors specifically dedicated to HAPS operations.
The World's First HAPS Social Acceptance Study
The Canarias Stratoport for HAPS & UAS is not only a pioneer in technological advancements, but is also breaking new ground with the world's first social acceptance study of HAPS. Conducted in collaboration with DroneTalks , Murzilli Consulting's sister company, this initiative will engage communities through short 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 social impact of these technologies. By gathering the opinions of local and global communities, this project will ensure that the growth of HAPS and UAS operations at the Stratoport is aligned with public opinion and sustainable development practices.
The consortium
Juan José Sola , Director of Regulatory Affairs and Commercial Space at Murzilli Consulting, will lead the consortium of prominent aerospace companies, including the Andalusian Foundation for Aerospace Development (FADA) and Navya Solutions , in executing this complex aerospace initiative. His responsibilities will range from standardizing the Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA) for the Stratoport to assessing the risks of the U-Space project. This work will be coordinated closely with air navigation service providers (ANSPs), such as ENAIRE , and the military authorities.
As the prime contractor for this ambitious project, M&K UAS & SPACE SPAIN SL, dba Murzilli Consulting, is leading the coordination of the various stakeholders and ensuring smooth operations across multiple areas, from flight testing to regulatory compliance. Beyond simply providing consulting services, the company will deliver real technological solutions, such as integrating HAPS with high-altitude ground sensors, validating platforms through BVLOS testing, and ultimately creating an integrated environment for both traditional and innovative aviation operations. Lorenzo Murzilli , Managing Director of the group's parent company, M&K Global AG (along with Eszter Kovács ), is excited: “The Fuerteventura project, won against intense global competition, represents a major step forward for Murzilli Consulting as a hub for aerospace innovation. This victory consolidates our transition from a bold startup to a trusted industry leader . It highlights our unparalleled ability to drive real, impactful results in the face of complex technical and regulatory challenges.” Murzilli Consulting is rewriting the aerospace innovation playbook, and Fuerteventura is just the beginning."
Juan José Sola, project leader, added: “This project involves extending unmanned aerial operations to new scenarios that will allow us to optimize applications of great use to society, prioritizing safety.”
"Knowing the Canary Islands airspace and its complexity, coordination with ANSPs and their ATS services is essential for the success of the project," added Marina Estal Muñoz , Senior Airspace Consultant at Murzilli Consulting.
Eduardo Pereira González , CEO and Project Director of the Fuerteventura Technology Park (PTFSA) and coordinator of the Canary Islands Geo-Innovation 2030 Program, added: "The Fuerteventura stratoport project positions the Canary Islands on the map of UAS and HAPS operations, mainly thanks to regional impetus, and aims to enable innovative, high-value-added solutions for citizens and the various administrations."
Murzilli Consulting
Murzilli Consulting is a digital aviation consultancy operating within the M&K Global AG group . Founded in 2020 by Lorenzo Murzilli, it is headquartered in Bern, Switzerland, with branches in Germany, the UK, Hungary, and Spain. The organization is committed to helping clients succeed with their regulatory and compliance strategies. To this end, we act as an outsourced digital regulatory department and work with clients to help them establish a high-performing in-house regulatory function. We primarily focus on emerging technologies in the manned and unmanned aviation, advanced air mobility, and U-space sectors (including all related applications).
The Murzilli Consulting team offers both governments and private companies the opportunity to establish a high-performance in-house regulatory function capable of addressing emerging technologies. We can also develop and implement strategies and roadmaps, as well as execute specific projects such as UAS and USSP certification, type certification, design verification, SORA approvals and CE marking, among other services. Our client portfolio is unmatched in the consulting and services sector and reflects the trust that leading organizations place in our services.
DroneTalks
DroneTalks is a platform dedicated to educating and connecting professionals in the drone industry. Through its educational content, DroneTalks enables people from diverse backgrounds to gain a better understanding of the sector's innovations, regulations, and emerging technologies. The platform offers both in-person and online training, with popular courses such as regulatory and SORA training, which support aviation authorities and commercial drone organizations worldwide. DroneTalks also organizes the invitation-only Aerial Cities event, which brings together key regulators and drone executives to bridge the gap between urban environments and drone operations. Furthermore, its DroneTalks Jobs platform connects top talent with industry organizations, serving as a hub for knowledge, networking, and career advancement.
The Fuerteventura Technology Park SA, MP
The Fuerteventura Technology Park SA, MP (PTFSA) is a public entity with a program of innovation, diversification, economic recovery, resilience and territorial observation, especially in challenges related to biodiversity, through technologies embedded in high altitude pseudo-satellite platforms (HAPS) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAS or drones).
