The Sceye HAPS is set to provide, amongst other services, super-fast broadband to Earth from high in the stratosphere.
This High-Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) is a 65m (213 ft) long autonomous helium-filled aircraft that is designed to launch vertically, then proceed to an altitude of 60,000 feet (18,288) or more. That's almost twice as high as commercial passenger aircraft.
The Sceye HAPS can then hover in place at a given altitude and set of GPS coordinates, powered by solar cells which are integrated into its full-body silver-foil "solar cape."
As it hovers - conceivably for months at a time between service intervals - it's able to perform tasks such as relaying broadband internet to underserved communities, monitoring the climate and environment, and watching for forest fires or other natural disasters. The silver blimp is also part of a five year US Environmental Protection Agency study aimed at tracking and measuring methane emissions.
The Sceye HAPS - based in New Mexico - made its first flights in 2021, and its most recent milestone came just last week, when it demonstrated its ability to charge its batteries during the day via its solar cells, then use that battery power to stay hovering in place overnight.
The aircraft aims to enter commercial use in 2025. One of its first jobs will be to provide universal broadband access to the Navajo Nation.