HAPS Alliance

What it reported doing in 2024

In 2024, the haps alliance actively advanced the development and deployment of high altitude platform stations (haps) through a series of strategic publications, events, and organizational initiatives: key publications1. "haps certification pathways" (february 8, 2024): this white paper, developed by the aviation working group, addressed regulatory challenges unique to haps operations. It proposed actions such as establishing safety risk metrics, creating haps-specific environmental test standards, and engaging with international organizations to develop flexible certification processes. 2. "acceptable levels of risks for haps" (january 31, 2024): this paper reimagined traditional aviation safety metrics for haps, introducing new approaches to setting acceptable risk levels for this emerging technology. 3. "creating an enabling regulatory environment for haps deployment" (may 16, 2024): an updated regulatory positions paper providing high-level recommendations to support the stratospheric ecosystem, including insights from the expansion of haps service-link following wrc-23. Notable events-stratospheric operations and research symposium (soars) 2024: this symposium brought together stakeholders from various sectors to collaborate on advancing haps and high altitude long endurance (hale) technologies. Haps alliance members, including aalto, aerostar, aerovironment, and sceye, showcased their collaborative efforts and emphasized the role of haps in revolutionizing aerial operations. -haps alliance member meeting (november 12-13, 2024): held in bonn, germany, and hosted by deutsche telekom ag, this meeting provided a platform for members to explore real-world haps applications, discuss cutting-edge technologies, and participate in working group updates and networking opportunities. Organizational developments-formation of the defense applications working group: in may 2024, the haps alliance launched a new working group focused on providing a platform for equitable discussion and engagement in defense applications amongst members.-formation of the advisory board: in october 2024, the haps alliance established its inaugural advisory board to provide strategic guidance. Greg ewert, chief commercial officer & managing director north america at stratospheric platforms, was appointed as the first member.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: Limited
• Program expense ratio: Limited
• Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Limited
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 2 of 7 controls in place; rating input score 29
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Fail
  • Whistleblower policy: Fail
  • Document-retention policy: Fail
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -58.3%; rating input score 4; 4th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.51; rating input score 25; 25th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 1.11; rating input score 4; 4th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 0%; rating input score 69; 69th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: Limited
• Revenue growth: -11.7% per year; rating input score 0; 5th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: -19.9% per year; rating input score 0; 3rd percentile among comparable filings