You have probably heard of the “satellite” progress that are taking telecommunications to the next level. But did you know that there is a solar-powered unmanned aircraft that is about to revolutionize many services of this type?
High Altitude Platforms (HAPS) are an alternative to satellites, and operate in the stratosphere rather than space. HAPS Mobile, a subsidiary of a Japanese company called SoftBank, is one of the pioneers in this emerging industry and has developed the Sunglider.
Sunglider, telecommunications take off
This innovative aircraft aims to bring telecommunications payload right where it is needed. The fact that it was funded by NASA shows the importance and potential of this new way of providing connectivity. It is still an unconventional aircraft, which can remain at operating altitudes for a long time without having to return to the ground for refueling.
The Sunglider is completely sustainable, because it is powered only by batteries and solar energy. During the day, the solar panels charge the batteries so that at night the plane can continue to fly and support telecommunications, powered by the charged batteries. This gives it an impressive operation 24/24. Thanks to its lightweight construction with carbon materials, it is able to fly even when the wind is not as strong and can also withstand turbulence thanks to a remarkable wingspan of 78 meters (256 feet).
A solar and intelligent aircraft
Sunglider is controlled by an onboard computer which constantly changes its attitude according to the wind patterns. When it takes off, it is guided by the ground control center and when it reaches the stratosphere, an operating system directs it to the specific service position. Once you reach that area, can fly autonomously for several months. The solar telecommunications plane is designed to operate at 20 kilometers altitude (12 miles) at a maximum speed of 110 kilometers per hour (68 mph).
The Tokyo-based company founded the HAPS Alliance together with Loon (remember them? Google's "internet footballs"), and from Loon it has acquired more than 200 patents. The Sunglider successfully conducted its stratospheric flight test last year, and its HAPSMobile platform became the world's first to deliver LTE-based telecommunications from a fixed-wing unmanned aircraft into the stratosphere.
