Photo Story

Photos: Flying solar blimp to bring high-speed internet to remote regions

The Sceye HAPS has completed 20 test flights and is set for commercial deployment in 2025.

Published: Aug 21, 2024 11:13 AM EST

Sujita Sinha

7 days ago

Last week, the Sceye HAPS embarked on its first-ever day-and-night flight.

Sceye

In a bid to revolutionize internet access for remote communities, the Sceye High-Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) promises a groundbreaking approach.

This innovative blimp-like aircraft, harnessing solar power to hover in the stratosphere, is poised to change how we connect the most isolated regions of the world.

Sceye, an aerospace company based in Roswell, New Mexico, was founded in 2014 by Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen. Frandsen, also known for his work with the public health firm Vestergaard and the water-purifying LifeStraw device, envisioned a solution for providing high-speed internet to underserved areas.

The Sceye HAPS is an uncrewed, helium-filled aircraft designed to hover in the stratosphere, bringing connectivity and data collection capabilities to new heights.

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Design and specifications
The Sceye HAPS is an impressive 213 feet (65 meters) long and is equipped with a helium-filled structure that allows it to launch vertically and ascend to altitudes ranging from 60,000 to 65,000 feet (18,288 to 19,812 meters). Once at its designated height, it maintains its position with remarkable stability, supported by gallium selenide and gallium arsenide solar cells integrated into its full-body silver-foil "solar cape."
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Sustainable power for extended missions
One of the standout features of the Sceye HAPS is its ability to hover for extended periods. The aircraft can operate for months between service intervals, relying on solar power for its energy needs. During the day, its solar cells charge its batteries, which are then used to keep the aircraft aloft overnight. This sustainable power approach allows it to perform critical tasks continuously.
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Impactful applications
The Sceye HAPS is more than just a technological marvel. It has real-world applications that could make a significant difference. It plays a crucial role in a State of New Mexico initiative aimed at providing universal broadband access to the Navajo Nation. Additionally, it is a key component of a five-year study by the US Environmental Protection Agency to monitor and measure methane emissions. The aircraft's capabilities extend to climate and environmental monitoring, as well as disaster response, including forest fire detection.
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Record-breaking achievements
Since its first flights in 2021, the Sceye HAPS has achieved impressive milestones. It reached a maximum altitude of 64,600 feet (19,690 meters) and demonstrated its ability to maintain an LTE OpenRAN data connection with a smartphone on the ground across a record-breaking distance of over 87 miles (140 kilometers). This distance exceeds the typical LTE range of about 62 miles (100 kilometers).
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Recent flight success
On August 15th, the Sceye HAPS marked a significant milestone by successfully charging its batteries during the day and using that power to stay airborne overnight. The aircraft launched at 7:36 am from Sceye's New Mexico facility, reached an altitude of 61,000 feet (18,593 meters), and remained in the air until 12:21 pm the following day. This flight showcased its ability to hover in place and relocate to different operational areas as needed.
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Expert insights
Stephanie Luongo, Chief of Mission Operations at Sceye, emphasized the significance of the recent flight, "The flight was an important demonstration of our platform's performance and resilience. I'm looking forward to seeing the growth and capabilities scale with each and every flight that follows." This sentiment reflects the company's commitment to advancing its technology and expanding its capabilities.
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Future prospects
Having completed a total of 20 test flights, with two more scheduled for later this year, the Sceye HAPS is on track for commercial deployment in 2025. However, it faces competition from other aerospace companies, including Thales Alenia Space and Lockheed Martin, which are developing similar high-altitude platforms.