>> Airship/New Atlas
The American aerospace company Sceye, based in the state of New Mexico, conducted successful tests of the unmanned airship HAPS. It is designed to improve Internet access in remote regions.
This innovative aircraft uses solar energy to maintain its position in the stratosphere. This is reported by Mediasat.
HAPS (High-Altitude Platform Station)is an unmanned airship 65 meters long, capable of operating at an altitude of 18,288 to 19,812 meters. The device is equipped with solar panels that charge the batteries during the day, ensuring its continuous operation at night. In addition to providing Internet services, HAPS can perform environmental monitoring and disaster tracking tasks.
The airship has already demonstrated its capabilities in real-world conditions. In particular, he participated in the project to provide the Internet for the representatives of the Navajo people in New Mexico, as well as in the research of the US Environmental Protection Agency.
An important milestone in the development was the successful test in August 2023, when the HAPS performed an autonomous flight at an altitude of 18,593 meters, maintaining a stable position and the ability to maneuver in the given areas.
Sceye Company plans to put its device into commercial operation in 2025. In the market of high-tech solutions for providing communication, Sceye will compete with such giants as Thales Alenia Space and Lockheed Martin, which are also developing similar platforms.
The appearance of such innovative technologies as HAPS opens new perspectives for providing the Internet -communication in hard-to-reach regions, which can have a significant impact on overcoming digital inequality in the world.