Russia has conducted the first launch of an unmanned stratospheric platform designed as a potential alternative to Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite network.

Starlink relies on expansive satellites in space, but the Russian project will maintain a fleet of Zeplin-like floating platforms in the stratospheric 20km above the surface of the plant that carry telecoms equipment to provide fast internet access to very large territories and are cheap and easy to maintain.

The platform, known as “Barrier-1”, was developed by Aerodromash in Novgorod in collaboration with Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Russia News reports. According to the developers, the initial test flight was successfully completed in Russia, marking a step towards creating a high-altitude communications system positioned in the stratosphere rather than low Earth orbit.

Barrier-1 is capable of lifting a payload of up to 100kg to an altitude of up to 20km. The platform uses an aerodynamic stabilisation system to adjust its flight altitude and exploit air currents, allowing it to manoeuvre, maintain a fixed position or move along a defined trajectory. Developers say the use of special polymer materials is intended to ensure long-term aerial endurance.

The project is being presented as an “alternative to Starlink”, the satellite broadband constellation operated by SpaceX that has become a critical component of communications infrastructure in conflict zones and remote regions.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) is heavily reliant on Musk’s Starlink for battlefield communications and coordination. Russia has also been using the system and even built Starlink into the guidance system of some of its newer drones. Recently, SpaceX has required all users of the system to register in an effort to cut Russian users off from access to the system.

The Barrage platform is described by its developers as an effective and economical substitute for what they characterise as expensive satellite towers in low Earth orbit. Among the priority tasks of the Barrier project is the testing of 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) communications. Placing transmitters at an altitude of 20km would enable high-speed internet and communications services to be delivered across vast areas where constructing ground-based towers is either impractical or unprofitable.

Russia has accelerated efforts to develop domestic alternatives to western technology providers following sweeping export controls imposed after the invasion of Ukraine. High-altitude platform systems have also been explored by companies in the US, Europe and China as a complement to satellite networks for broadband connectivity.