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High Altitude Platform Wireless
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This technology is still about 10 years away, although in early 2004 the University of York, UK, announced it would be running trials of HAP's. Meanwhile, Low Altitude Platform technology is available now.
Not quite out of this world
Posted by
AFXM
at
29 January 2005
Dec 2nd 2004
From The Economist print edition
Telecommunications: After years of hype, a new, cheaper way to blanket cities with wireless coverage may finally be about to get off the ground
It's hardly rocket science
THE recent success of Burt Rutan's SpaceShipOne, the first private spacecraft, has brought commercial space travel a step closer. Virgin Galactic, Richard Branson's new space-tourism company, which has licensed Mr Rutan's technology, already has £800m ($1.5 billion)-worth of ticket reservations, though flights will not begin until 2007. But as the fledgling space-tourism industry lifts off, another more mature space business could be heading for a fall. The communications-satellite industry, arguably the only space industry that actually makes any money, may find itself usurped by an unlikely technology that is a lot more down to earth.
Next month Sanswire Networks, a company based in Atlanta, Georgia, is planning to launch the first airship satellite, or “stratellite”. Floating in the stratosphere at an altitude of about 20km (13 miles), the airship will behave just like a geostationary satellite, hovering over a particular spot and relaying radio signals to and from the ground. Such airships will, however, be much cheaper to launch and maintain than satellites—and can do things that satellites cannot.
Telecommunications
Virgin Galactic has licensed the technology used in SpaceShipOne. Sanswire Networks will soon launch the first airship satellite. See also information on the Federal Aviation Administration's Airship Working Group.
Each 75-metre-long airship will be controlled autonomously, and will contain nearly 37,000 cubic metres of helium to keep it and its 1.4-tonne payload aloft, says Michael Molen, Sanswire's chief executive. At such high altitude, above the jet stream, the reduced air density means that the wind will be about 20 times weaker than at ground level, enabling the airship's solar-powered electric motors to keep it stationary with very little effort. The craft's aerodynamic shape not only reduces drag but also generates lift when facing into the wind, says Mr Molen.
Like satellites, these airships will be able to provide wide-area mobile-telephone coverage, paging and other communications services. The company is most excited by the prospect of being able to provide wireless broadband coverage, akin to Wi-Fi, over large areas. A single airship could, says Mr Molen, potentially provide coverage over an area of nearly 800,000 square kilometres, or about the size of Texas. It should thus be possible to create “hotzones” of coverage encapsulating entire cities and their surrounding countryside, rather than the smaller “hotspots” of Wi-Fi coverage found in airports and coffee shops.
Standard Wi-Fi technology is, however, intended only for short-range communications. Beaming signals to and from an airship requires a special antenna. But the stratellite could be used to provide a high-speed connection to an access point for a home or office, which could then connect to nearby devices using Wi-Fi. The stratellite service would, in short, offer an alternative to cable and digital subscriber-line (DSL) broadband links. It would also be useful in countries with little or no network infrastructure, notes Ron Hochstetler, the chairman of the Airship Working Group at America's Federal Aviation Administration.
Airships are, he says, the only aviation technology that has not been fully exploited, which is why America's military is evaluating them for heavy-lifting and transport duties. They could have other military uses, too: in 2006, Lockheed Martin is due to position a prototype airship over the city of Akron, Ohio, once the centre of Goodyear's blimp operation, as part of an experimental missile-defence system. It will have communication and sensing capabilities, but no weaponry on board. It may seem low-tech compared with the armed satellites proposed in the 1980s by Ronald Reagan, but airships could do some of the work of satellites at much lower cost.
For even if you ignore the development costs of the rocket and the satellite itself, it still costs around $7,500 for every kilogram of satellite payload launched into low-earth orbit. For a typical satellite that means at least $40m. The satellite then typically has a lifetime of between five and seven years, after which it runs out of fuel and must be decommissioned and placed in a junk orbit, says James Northam, a senior engineer at Surrey Satellite Technology, a British satellite firm. Stratellites, on the other hand, will cost about $20m each, and can be reused, says Mr Molen: after hovering for 18 months they are recovered for servicing and then relaunched. It all sounds promising on paper—so the real question is whether Sanswire can make the idea fly.
From The Economist print edition
Telecommunications: After years of hype, a new, cheaper way to blanket cities with wireless coverage may finally be about to get off the ground
It's hardly rocket science
THE recent success of Burt Rutan's SpaceShipOne, the first private spacecraft, has brought commercial space travel a step closer. Virgin Galactic, Richard Branson's new space-tourism company, which has licensed Mr Rutan's technology, already has £800m ($1.5 billion)-worth of ticket reservations, though flights will not begin until 2007. But as the fledgling space-tourism industry lifts off, another more mature space business could be heading for a fall. The communications-satellite industry, arguably the only space industry that actually makes any money, may find itself usurped by an unlikely technology that is a lot more down to earth.
Next month Sanswire Networks, a company based in Atlanta, Georgia, is planning to launch the first airship satellite, or “stratellite”. Floating in the stratosphere at an altitude of about 20km (13 miles), the airship will behave just like a geostationary satellite, hovering over a particular spot and relaying radio signals to and from the ground. Such airships will, however, be much cheaper to launch and maintain than satellites—and can do things that satellites cannot.
Telecommunications
Virgin Galactic has licensed the technology used in SpaceShipOne. Sanswire Networks will soon launch the first airship satellite. See also information on the Federal Aviation Administration's Airship Working Group.
Each 75-metre-long airship will be controlled autonomously, and will contain nearly 37,000 cubic metres of helium to keep it and its 1.4-tonne payload aloft, says Michael Molen, Sanswire's chief executive. At such high altitude, above the jet stream, the reduced air density means that the wind will be about 20 times weaker than at ground level, enabling the airship's solar-powered electric motors to keep it stationary with very little effort. The craft's aerodynamic shape not only reduces drag but also generates lift when facing into the wind, says Mr Molen.
Like satellites, these airships will be able to provide wide-area mobile-telephone coverage, paging and other communications services. The company is most excited by the prospect of being able to provide wireless broadband coverage, akin to Wi-Fi, over large areas. A single airship could, says Mr Molen, potentially provide coverage over an area of nearly 800,000 square kilometres, or about the size of Texas. It should thus be possible to create “hotzones” of coverage encapsulating entire cities and their surrounding countryside, rather than the smaller “hotspots” of Wi-Fi coverage found in airports and coffee shops.
Standard Wi-Fi technology is, however, intended only for short-range communications. Beaming signals to and from an airship requires a special antenna. But the stratellite could be used to provide a high-speed connection to an access point for a home or office, which could then connect to nearby devices using Wi-Fi. The stratellite service would, in short, offer an alternative to cable and digital subscriber-line (DSL) broadband links. It would also be useful in countries with little or no network infrastructure, notes Ron Hochstetler, the chairman of the Airship Working Group at America's Federal Aviation Administration.
Airships are, he says, the only aviation technology that has not been fully exploited, which is why America's military is evaluating them for heavy-lifting and transport duties. They could have other military uses, too: in 2006, Lockheed Martin is due to position a prototype airship over the city of Akron, Ohio, once the centre of Goodyear's blimp operation, as part of an experimental missile-defence system. It will have communication and sensing capabilities, but no weaponry on board. It may seem low-tech compared with the armed satellites proposed in the 1980s by Ronald Reagan, but airships could do some of the work of satellites at much lower cost.
For even if you ignore the development costs of the rocket and the satellite itself, it still costs around $7,500 for every kilogram of satellite payload launched into low-earth orbit. For a typical satellite that means at least $40m. The satellite then typically has a lifetime of between five and seven years, after which it runs out of fuel and must be decommissioned and placed in a junk orbit, says James Northam, a senior engineer at Surrey Satellite Technology, a British satellite firm. Stratellites, on the other hand, will cost about $20m each, and can be reused, says Mr Molen: after hovering for 18 months they are recovered for servicing and then relaunched. It all sounds promising on paper—so the real question is whether Sanswire can make the idea fly.
Stratellites to be Lauched in South
Posted by
AFXM
at
29 January 2005
Sanswire Networks Signs Agreement to Launch Stratellites in South America
January 27, 2005
PEMBROKE PINES -- January 27, 2005 -- Sanswire Networks, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of GlobeTel Communications Corp. announced today that it has entered into an agreement to build and launch Stratellites throughout South America.
The agreement calls for Sanswire to enter into a Joint-Venture Agreement with Orlando, Florida based Dynamic International Networks, Inc. to build and operate Sanswire's high-altitude airships called Stratellites in various South American countries. The Agreement calls for the first Stratellite to be launched over Lima, Peru to provide various wireless services to the Peruvian capital and surrounding areas.
Communications operations in Peru will be handled by Dynamic's affiliate, Beacon Supply Comunicaciones, S.A. of Lima. Sanswire will handle all matters associated with the Stratellite. The Joint-Venture operating company will be called Sanswire Peru and will offer new services such as wireless broadband, VOIP telephony, and video. Funding for the project will be provided by Dynamic International Networks in conjunction with support from their local Foundation partners.
“We knew our expansion into South America would be an important part of the Company's growth. This Agreement will significantly expedite that process,” said Michael K. Molen, Chairman of Sanswire Networks. “Not only will we launch a Stratellite in Peru, but our partners have plans to expand into all parts of South America. Because of the limited infrastructure in that part of the world, the Stratellites are a perfect solution.”
Founded in 1997 in Orlando, FL, Dynamic International Networks, Inc. offers consulting services in various state-of-the-art technologies. The Company does business in several South American countries, including Mexico, Peru, Brazil, and Venezuela. Currently, the Company is developing the Bolivar Telecommunications Project called “Bolivar” with the vision of integrating Bolivarian countries with state-of-the-art technologies and shared solutions that provide a variety of communications projects and strategic alliances.
“We have followed the progress of Sanswire and the Stratellite project for some time now and we are extremely excited about bringing this cutting edge technology to the people of South America,” said Ernesto Uribe Abad, President of Dynamic International Networks. “Together with Sanswire, we will change wireless communications in South America forever.”
A Stratellite is similar to a satellite, but is stationed in the stratosphere rather than in orbit. At an altitude of 10 to 13 miles above the Earth, each Stratellite will have clear line-of-sight communications capability to an entire major metropolitan area as well as being able to provide coverage across major rural areas. Several Stratellites linked together could cover many hundreds of thousands of square miles. The Stratellite will allow subscribers to easily communicate in “both directions” using readily available wireless devices. In addition to voice and data, proposed telecommunications uses include cellular, 3G/4G mobile, MMDS, paging, fixed wireless telephony, HDTV, real-time surveillance and others.
January 27, 2005
PEMBROKE PINES -- January 27, 2005 -- Sanswire Networks, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of GlobeTel Communications Corp. announced today that it has entered into an agreement to build and launch Stratellites throughout South America.
The agreement calls for Sanswire to enter into a Joint-Venture Agreement with Orlando, Florida based Dynamic International Networks, Inc. to build and operate Sanswire's high-altitude airships called Stratellites in various South American countries. The Agreement calls for the first Stratellite to be launched over Lima, Peru to provide various wireless services to the Peruvian capital and surrounding areas.
Communications operations in Peru will be handled by Dynamic's affiliate, Beacon Supply Comunicaciones, S.A. of Lima. Sanswire will handle all matters associated with the Stratellite. The Joint-Venture operating company will be called Sanswire Peru and will offer new services such as wireless broadband, VOIP telephony, and video. Funding for the project will be provided by Dynamic International Networks in conjunction with support from their local Foundation partners.
“We knew our expansion into South America would be an important part of the Company's growth. This Agreement will significantly expedite that process,” said Michael K. Molen, Chairman of Sanswire Networks. “Not only will we launch a Stratellite in Peru, but our partners have plans to expand into all parts of South America. Because of the limited infrastructure in that part of the world, the Stratellites are a perfect solution.”
Founded in 1997 in Orlando, FL, Dynamic International Networks, Inc. offers consulting services in various state-of-the-art technologies. The Company does business in several South American countries, including Mexico, Peru, Brazil, and Venezuela. Currently, the Company is developing the Bolivar Telecommunications Project called “Bolivar” with the vision of integrating Bolivarian countries with state-of-the-art technologies and shared solutions that provide a variety of communications projects and strategic alliances.
“We have followed the progress of Sanswire and the Stratellite project for some time now and we are extremely excited about bringing this cutting edge technology to the people of South America,” said Ernesto Uribe Abad, President of Dynamic International Networks. “Together with Sanswire, we will change wireless communications in South America forever.”
A Stratellite is similar to a satellite, but is stationed in the stratosphere rather than in orbit. At an altitude of 10 to 13 miles above the Earth, each Stratellite will have clear line-of-sight communications capability to an entire major metropolitan area as well as being able to provide coverage across major rural areas. Several Stratellites linked together could cover many hundreds of thousands of square miles. The Stratellite will allow subscribers to easily communicate in “both directions” using readily available wireless devices. In addition to voice and data, proposed telecommunications uses include cellular, 3G/4G mobile, MMDS, paging, fixed wireless telephony, HDTV, real-time surveillance and others.
Former Space Shuttle Commander Joins Sanswire
Posted by
AFXM
at
29 January 2005
January 24, 2005
MIAMI -- January 24, 2005 -- GlobeTel Communications Corp. today announced that former astronaut and Space Shuttle commander Rick Searfoss, Colonel, USAF Retired, will join the board of directors of their wholly owned subsidiary Sanswire Networks, LLC (Sanswire).
Colonel Searfoss has over twenty-five years experience in aerospace as an executive, astronaut, test pilot, and fighter pilot. Rick commanded the most complex life science research space mission ever flown, the STS-90 Neurolab flight on Columbia. He also recently served as the Chief Judge for the highly successful and innovative Ansari X Prize competition for the first privately developed reusable human-carrying spacecraft and consults regularly for numerous entrepreneurial aerospace ventures.
With his extensive background as a noted professional speaker to corporations and associations on leadership, teamwork, and innovation, Rick will also serve as public spokesman for Sanswire. GlobeTel CEO, Mr. Timothy Huff, noted “Rick's extensive career in aviation, space, and leading-edge technology, linked with his skills as a professional speaker, made him a perfect addition to our Sanswire team. We look forward to his technical inputs, perspective, and representation to the public of our exciting and world-changing new capabilities.“
MIAMI -- January 24, 2005 -- GlobeTel Communications Corp. today announced that former astronaut and Space Shuttle commander Rick Searfoss, Colonel, USAF Retired, will join the board of directors of their wholly owned subsidiary Sanswire Networks, LLC (Sanswire).
Colonel Searfoss has over twenty-five years experience in aerospace as an executive, astronaut, test pilot, and fighter pilot. Rick commanded the most complex life science research space mission ever flown, the STS-90 Neurolab flight on Columbia. He also recently served as the Chief Judge for the highly successful and innovative Ansari X Prize competition for the first privately developed reusable human-carrying spacecraft and consults regularly for numerous entrepreneurial aerospace ventures.
With his extensive background as a noted professional speaker to corporations and associations on leadership, teamwork, and innovation, Rick will also serve as public spokesman for Sanswire. GlobeTel CEO, Mr. Timothy Huff, noted “Rick's extensive career in aviation, space, and leading-edge technology, linked with his skills as a professional speaker, made him a perfect addition to our Sanswire team. We look forward to his technical inputs, perspective, and representation to the public of our exciting and world-changing new capabilities.“
NASA Gets Involved in Stratelite Development
Posted by
AFXM
at
29 January 2005
GlobeTel Signs Letter of Intent with NASA
January 18, 2005
MIAMI -- January 18, 2005 -- GlobeTel Communications Corp. today announced that the company has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The agreement with NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base in California positions the company for future governmental partnerships and business development ventures.
The LOI will create a framework for creation of a Space Act agreement between GTEL, the developer and provider of the Stratellite, a High Altitude Platform (HAP) Airship, and NASA Dryden Research Center.
The parties also envision that the agreement will employ provisions for joint advocacy and proposal development efforts in the pursuit of future new business opportunities of mutual benefit.
The agreement will provide NASA and other agencies the access to the Stratellite for the installation, integration, and deployment of NASA sponsored sensors and other projects. Under the proposed agreement, other government agencies may, in cooperation with NASA Dryden, utilize the Stratellite for their projects and requirements.
Timothy Huff, CEO of GTEL, stated, “It is a great honor to be working with an organization such as NASA. The Space Act agreement will give GTEL access to additional capable personnel and technology, accelerating the growth of both GTEL and our wholly-owned subsidiary, Sanswire Networks LLC, and take advantage of the opportunity that lies ahead of us.”
A Stratellite is similar to a satellite, but is stationed in the stratosphere rather than in orbit. At an altitude of 10 to 13 miles above the Earth, each Stratellite will have clear line-of-sight communications capability to an entire major metropolitan area as well as being able to provide coverage across major rural areas. Several Stratellites linked together could cover many hundreds of thousands of square miles. The Stratellite will allow subscribers to easily communicate in “both directions” using readily available wireless devices. In addition to voice and data, proposed telecommunications uses include cellular, 3G/4G mobile, MMDS, paging, fixed wireless telephony, HDTV, real-time surveillance and others.
For more information, please go to www.sanswire.com or www.globetel.net.
January 18, 2005
MIAMI -- January 18, 2005 -- GlobeTel Communications Corp. today announced that the company has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The agreement with NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base in California positions the company for future governmental partnerships and business development ventures.
The LOI will create a framework for creation of a Space Act agreement between GTEL, the developer and provider of the Stratellite, a High Altitude Platform (HAP) Airship, and NASA Dryden Research Center.
The parties also envision that the agreement will employ provisions for joint advocacy and proposal development efforts in the pursuit of future new business opportunities of mutual benefit.
The agreement will provide NASA and other agencies the access to the Stratellite for the installation, integration, and deployment of NASA sponsored sensors and other projects. Under the proposed agreement, other government agencies may, in cooperation with NASA Dryden, utilize the Stratellite for their projects and requirements.
Timothy Huff, CEO of GTEL, stated, “It is a great honor to be working with an organization such as NASA. The Space Act agreement will give GTEL access to additional capable personnel and technology, accelerating the growth of both GTEL and our wholly-owned subsidiary, Sanswire Networks LLC, and take advantage of the opportunity that lies ahead of us.”
A Stratellite is similar to a satellite, but is stationed in the stratosphere rather than in orbit. At an altitude of 10 to 13 miles above the Earth, each Stratellite will have clear line-of-sight communications capability to an entire major metropolitan area as well as being able to provide coverage across major rural areas. Several Stratellites linked together could cover many hundreds of thousands of square miles. The Stratellite will allow subscribers to easily communicate in “both directions” using readily available wireless devices. In addition to voice and data, proposed telecommunications uses include cellular, 3G/4G mobile, MMDS, paging, fixed wireless telephony, HDTV, real-time surveillance and others.
For more information, please go to www.sanswire.com or www.globetel.net.
Read our feature articles
July 14, 2004 08:30:00 AM ET
Sanswire Networks, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of GlobeTel Communications Corp. GTEL announced today that the live demonstration of the communications capabilities of its Stratellites was a success.
The live demonstration was held at the Company's Atlanta headquarters yesterday and will be repeated again today for the public and media. Only pre-registered guests will be permitted to attend the demonstration.
The Company demonstrated how it will use Stratellites as high-altitude wireless transmission platforms. The demonstration consisted of a number of wireless tests using various IP products and services over different frequencies, all from a fixed position in the sky. Sanswire held the platform in one stationary position using GPS technology. A series of antennas were mounted to the platform that received a wireless signal from an earth station and retransmitted the live signal to the demonstration area on the ground, allowing the Company to demonstrate the voice and data capabilities of the high-altitude wireless platform. Attendees were able to make an international phone call and surf the Internet.