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.
This is a project funded by the Complementary Plan under Component 17 of the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan, called "Institutional Reform and Capacity Building of the National Science, Technology, and Innovation System" – Biodiversity Program.
Funded by the grant "Promotion of disruptive innovation projects in the Canary Islands in 2024", awarded by Order No. 122/2024, of April 24, of the Minister of Economy, Knowledge and Employment of the Government of the Canary Islands, to the Fuerteventura Technology Park SAMP, for the execution of the project Structuring of the Canary Islands Stratoport airspace for HAPS & UAS of Fuerteventura and design of operational procedures and associated infrastructure for its development in the international arena (File IProIC2024010116).
This project falls under the "Type C" category. Actions to support knowledge and technology transfer processes and innovation demand in Canary Islands companies, through external collaborations with emerging companies and knowledge brokers at the regional, national, or international level, following open innovation models," as defined in Base 3 of the Regulatory Bases.
About the project: U-Space airspace design and risk assessment
El Canary Islands Stratoport for HAPS & UAS Stratoport 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 visual line of sight (BVLOS). Located in Fuerteventura (Spain), the Stratoport aims to establish itself as the best European facility for real-world aerospace operations. Unlike traditional demonstration spaces, this infrastructure is fully equipped for real missions, with drone hangars, high-altitude sensors and advanced operational facilities for 80% of the major European space companies that will conduct missions here. As explained Fuerteventura Diary, the Stratoport is attracting leading aerospace companies such as Thales Alenia Space y Skydweller, which will operate in these facilities.
The Stratoport integrates traditional aviation, space technologies, drone operations and advanced traffic management into a single, cohesive platform. Key project activities therefore include: the study of optimal airspace zones for future UAS and HAPS operations at different altitudes: very low level (VLL), medium altitude long duration (MALE), high altitude long duration (HALE) and high altitude operations (HAO) such as balloons and HAPS. In addition, the project involves the study of European and national airspace as well as stratospheric regulations to ensure an appropriate risk assessment and a seamless integration of these operations into air traffic management (ATM) services. The project therefore includes the first U-Space airspace risk assessment carried out entirely by a private company in Spain, setting a new milestone in terms of safety, cost-effectiveness and speed of innovation in the sector. Another first for this project is the requirement to provide a complete aerospace framework by creating permanent airspace structures and flight corridors dedicated specifically to HAPS operations.
The World's First HAPS Social Acceptance Study
The Canarias Stratoport for HAPS & UAS is not only a pioneer in technological advances, but also breaks 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 small video surveys to measure 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 input from 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
Murzilli Consulting's Director of Regulatory Affairs and Commercial Space, Juan Jose Sola, will lead the consortium of leading aerospace companies, including the Andalusian Foundation for Aerospace Development (FADA) y Navya Solutions, in the execution of the complex aerospace initiative, managing everything from the Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA) standardization for the Stratoport to the U-Space risk assessment. Work will be closely coordinated with air navigation service providers (ANSPs), such as ENAIRE and the military authorities.
As 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 domains, from flight testing to regulatory compliance. Beyond simply offering consulting services, the company will provide real technological solutions, such as the integration of HAPS with high-altitude ground sensors, platform validation through BVLOS testing, and ultimately the creation of an integrated environment for traditional and innovative aviation operations. Lorenzo Murzilli, CEO of the group's parent company, M&K Global AG, (together with Eszter Kovács), is excited: "The Fuerteventura project, won against intense global competition, represents a major step forward for Murzilli Consulting as a nerve centre for aerospace innovation. This victory solidifies our transition from a bold startup to a trusted industry leader.. It highlights our unrivalled ability to drive real, impactful results in the face of complex technical and regulatory challenges. Murzilli Consulting is rewriting the playbook for aerospace innovation, 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 the ANSPs and their ATS services is essential for the success of the project," he added. Marina Estal Muñoz, Senior Airspace Consultant at Murzilli Consulting.
Eduardo Pereira Gonzalez, 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 the regional drive, and aims to enable innovative solutions with high added value for citizens and different administrations."
Murzilli Consulting
Murzilli Consulting is a digital aviation consultancy that operates within the group M&K Global AG. It was founded in 2020 by Lorenzo Murzilli and is headquartered in Bern, Switzerland, with branches in Germany, the UK, Hungary and Spain. The organisation is committed to helping clients succeed with their regulatory and compliance strategies. To do this, we act as an outsourced digital regulatory department and work with clients to help them establish a high-performing internal regulatory function. We primarily focus on emerging technologies in the sectors of manned and unmanned aviation, advanced air mobility and U-space (including all their derived 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 DroneTalks is a platform dedicated to educating and connecting drone industry professionals. Through its educational content, DroneTalks enables people from diverse backgrounds to better understand the industry’s innovations, regulations and emerging technologies. The platform offers in-person and online training, with popular courses such as Regulatory Training and SORA supporting aviation authorities and commercial drone organizations around the world. DroneTalks also hosts the invitation-only Aerial Cities event, which brings together key regulators and drone executives to bridge the gap between urban environments and drone operations. Additionally, its DroneTalks Jobs platform connects top talent with industry organizations, becoming a hub for knowledge, networking and career advancement.
The Fuerteventura Technology Park SA, MP
El 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).
