RUVDS company carries out a historic experiment in radio broadcasting from the stratosphere over the North Pole

A press release published by the company stated: “RUVDS carried out a test launch of stratospheric platforms in the high latitudes of the Arctic. One of these launches was the first of its kind in history for FM radio broadcasting from the stratosphere using home UHF receivers.

The project was implemented in cooperation with the company "Stratonavika", the Murmansk Polar University, the state company "Rosatom", and the Russian "Mayak" radio.

The first launch of a stratospheric platform took place at an altitude of more than 30 kilometers directly above the North Pole. The platform was equipped with a specialized transmitter and conducted a broadcast session in the FM band available to the public. The company pointed out that the Arctic region is free of industrial interference and regulatory restrictions on broadcasting in the civil band, which made it an ideal location for tests.

“We have tested a technology that in the future could provide radio coverage of the entire territory of Russia via satellite,” said RUVDS General Director Nikita Tsaplin. It appears that FM radio transmission from the stratosphere to home receivers occurred for the first time in history. “It was a very complex experience from an engineering and logistical standpoint, but the result was worth all the effort.”

The second launch of the platform took place in the Franz Josef Archipelago and witnessed the testing of a recoverable stratospheric platform. After completing its program, the platform traveled more than 100 kilometers and returned successfully to its specific location. Data collected by sensors and an experimental multispectral camera on the platform will be used to assess climate changes, track marine mammal populations, and monitor conditions in the Northern Sea Route.