Aerostar

04/27/2026

🚀 New Podcast Episode Alert!
We’re excited to share the latest episode of the Chasing Space podcast featuring Aerostar’s own Russ Van Der Werff!
In this conversation, Russ and Mikkel Frandsen, dive into the future of High-Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS), how stratospheric technology is evolving, and the innovative work happening right now.
If you're curious about how high-altitude platforms are shaping global connectivity, environmental monitoring, and defense capabilities, this is a must-listen.
🎧 Listen here: https://www.chasing-space.com/2339589/episodes/19080607-49-mikkel-frandsen-russ-van-der-werff-high-altitude-platform-systems
We're proud of the team and excited to share a look into the cutting-edge work happening above the clouds. ☁️✨

Fantastic discussion covering the future of High Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS)

04/23/2026

🌙 Night Launch for Arcane Thunder 2026!
Our Aerostar team recently supported Arcane Thunder 2026 with a high‑altitude balloon night launch — and it was an incredible sight.
🎥 Check out the launch video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgb5HX3zfkU

High‑altitude balloons are playing a growing role on today’s battlefield. They offer:
• Long‑duration views over large areas
• Rapid and flexible deployment
• Resilient sensing options in challenging environments
• Cost‑effective support for multi‑domain operations
We’re proud of our team and their continued innovation in the stratosphere, supporting missions that require reliable, persistent awareness.

MDC-E experiments with Hight Altitude Balloons at Arcane Thunder

04/17/2026

🚀🌐 Pushing the limits of connectivity — all the way to the edge of space!

We’re excited to highlight our partnership with Netgate, whose secure, flexible networking solutions are helping strengthen Aerostar’s high‑altitude technologies. Operating in the stratosphere requires innovation, reliability, and teamwork — and Netgate has been an outstanding collaborator.

Together, we’re building the future of stratospheric connectivity and unlocking new possibilities for missions that operate far above traditional infrastructure.

Check out Netgate’s recent blog to learn more about how we’re working side‑by‑side at the edge of space:
🔗

Networking at the edge of space: Discover how Aerostar uses the Netgate 2100 with pfSense Plus to deliver secure, reliable connectivity at 100,000+ feet in extreme stratospheric conditions.

03/04/2026

Aerostar was excited to host fifteen Soldiers from Army Multi-Domain Command – Europe for microHAB training in Sioux Falls, South Dakota using our new Thunderstorm Learning Center.

Soldiers trained to deploy high-altitude balloon systems - including our Lightning microHAB platform and Thunderstorm software, culminating in multiple tethered launches and simulated flight missions.

The Army Multi-Domain Command - Europe will deploy microHABs to support long-range precision fires and effects, leveraging advanced sensors and deployable air-launched effects in contested environments. Aerostar is proud to support continued innovation in Europe and advance the state of the art in multi-domain operations!

02/18/2026

🚀 The future of the stratosphere is taking shape

We’re excited to see NASA advancing high-altitude traffic management—helping pave the way for safe, shared operations in the stratosphere.

Aerostar is proud to support this effort by contributing real-time flight data from our stratospheric platforms as part of this important work.

🔗 Read more: https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/ames/nasa-advances-high-altitude-traffic-management/

High-altitude flight is getting increasing attention from sectors ranging from telecommunications to emergency response. To make that airspace more

02/16/2026

Honoring the leadership that has shaped our nation and the innovation that continues to move us forward.

Happy Presidents’ Day from all of us at Aerostar!

02/11/2026

🎉 Celebrating 70 Years in the Stratosphere 🎉

Today marks 70 years since Raven Industries was founded on February 11, 1956 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota—an event that helped launch a legacy of stratospheric innovation that continues to shape the industry today.

While Aerostar is no longer part of Raven and now operates as a business unit of TCOM, our history in the stratosphere traces directly back to those early breakthroughs. The vision and ingenuity behind Raven’s pioneering high-altitude work laid the foundation for Aerostar’s decades-long leadership in stratospheric systems and operations.

As we celebrate 70 years in the stratosphere, we’re proud to honor that legacy and the people who made it possible—while continuing to advance persistent, elevated awareness solutions from the surface to the stratosphere. 🚀

02/10/2026

This is how you . 💪🚀

Inspiring to see athletes like Lindsey Vonn push boundaries, defy limits, and show what’s possible with grit and determination. At Aerostar, that same spirit drives us to go higher—literally and figuratively.

Here’s to bold goals, relentless pursuit, and daring mighty things.

Yesterday my Olympic dream did not finish the way I dreamt it would. It wasn’t a story book ending or a fairy tail, it was just life. I dared to dream and had worked so hard to achieve it. Because in Downhill ski racing the difference between a strategic line and a catastrophic injury can be as small as 5 inches.

I was simply 5 inches too tight on my line when my right arm hooked inside of the gate, twisting me and resulted in my crash. My ACL and past injuries had nothing to do with my crash whatsoever.

Unfortunately, I sustained a complex tibia fracture that is currently stable but will require multiple surgeries to fix properly.

While yesterday did not end the way I had hoped, and despite the intense physical pain it caused, I have no regrets. Standing in the starting gate yesterday was an incredible feeling that I will never forget. Knowing I stood there having a chance to win was a victory in and of itself. I also knew that racing was a risk. It always was and always will be an incredibly dangerous sport.

And similar to ski racing, we take risks in life. We dream. We love. We jump. And sometimes we fall. Sometimes our hearts are broken. Sometimes we don’t achieve the dreams we know we could have. But that is the also the beauty of life; we can try.

I tried. I dreamt. I jumped.

I hope if you take away anything from my journey it’s that you all have the courage to dare greatly. Life is too short not to take chances on yourself. Because the only failure in life is not trying.

I believe in you, just as you believed in me.

❤️LV

01/29/2026

🚀 Big ideas need big space — and big collaborators!

Proud to share this moment with South Dakota State University as we partner to open doors for next-generation stratospheric innovation! 🌌 Together, we’re building opportunities for aerospace discovery, education, and real-world testing that lift local talent and technological advancement to new heights.

👩‍🔬👨‍🎓 From students to industry, this collaboration helps bridge classroom knowledge with stratospheric capability. We’re excited to see where this partnership takes us next.



🎥 Shared from South Dakota State University: https://fb.watch/EXD5OwHYqt/

01/19/2026