Red Balloon Aerospace Partners With Armenias Bazoomq for Stratospheric AI Testing

HYDERABAD — Near-space startup Red Balloon Aerospace has partnered with Armenia’s Bazoomq Space Research Laboratory to jointly develop and test stratospheric platforms, payload integration methods, and onboard artificial intelligence applications. The agreement, announced in Hyderabad, marks the first international research partnership for the Indian near-space company.

Under the newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the two entities will plan stratospheric demonstration campaigns and test payloads in near-space conditions. The partnership also aims to conduct atmospheric research and develop edge computing, autonomy, and data workflows.

The collaboration was announced three weeks after Red Balloon Aerospace launched VISTA, India’s first indigenous stratospheric super-pressure balloon platform. The launch was part of Mission SANA, which successfully flew on May 27 and carried commercial payloads into the stratosphere over Vijayawada.

According to the partners, the joint activities will follow a test-first model before they attempt more advanced missions. The companies may also pursue government programmes, grants, and customer-funded prototypes, with specific details to be outlined in future work plans.

Dr. CVS Kiran, co-founder and CEO of Red Balloon Aerospace, explained that stratospheric platforms complement satellites by offering localized coverage, faster deployment, and practical access to near-space missions.

Bazoomq CEO and co-founder Avetik Grigoryan stated that the partnership would help Armenia’s private space sector move toward practical international collaboration in near-space capabilities, advanced payload integration, and edge computing.

Adding to this, Bazoomq co-founder and board member Hayk Martirosyan noted that high-altitude platform systems could support persistent observation, resilient communications, and faster testing of advanced payloads. Bazoomq has previously flown stratospheric balloons with the AYAS Aerospace Society, capturing imagery of Armenia from an altitude of approximately 30 kilometres.