U.S. Navy funded Global Near Space Services (“GNSS“) to develop a two stage lighter than air drone. The GNSS program developed a clean, cost-effective satellite-type capability utilizing a high altitude upper-stage shaped LTA coupled with an unpiloted detachable, flying, lower stage UAV containing sensor systems. GNSS subcontracted to Bye Aerospace to design the solar-electric flyable lower stage, ‘stratospheric recovery vehicle’ or SRV detachable UAV.
There have been many stratospheric airship or balloon systems projects over the years. There have been many lighter than airship projects.
These system are appealing as lower cost alternatives to high altitude planes or satellites. Lower cost satellites could eliminate most of the markets for these systems.
The unique GNSS “StarLight” LTA system is predicted to persist on station against prevailing winds at very high altitudes for 4 months for a fraction of the cost of a satellite. Solar electric energy provides the necessary power for all systems including both motors for station keeping and customer surveillance payloads. The lower stage solar electric UAV features deployable thin film photo voltaic arrays that articulate up to +/- 50 degrees to optimize solar energy collection. The electric motor propeller system also articulates up to +/-30 degrees to provide enhanced steering for the LTA against altering wind conditions at altitude. The lower stage detaches on command and returns under powered flight to landing and for refurbishment and re-launch as required.
Bye Aerospace helped design and construct a 40% demonstration scale SRV (pictured) for GNSS and the U.S. Navy. The scaled SRV demonstrator vehicle is designed with advanced all-composite structure, has a length is 27.8 feet with a wing span of 25.6 feet, and gross weight of 854 lbs. It is designed to 5g strength and a 1.4 safety factor. The SRV test vehicle utilizes a partial array of thin film photo voltaics to provide solar energy collection. Light-weight Li-Ion batteries provide energy storage. The SRV demonstrator is designed to fly with a limited redundancy autopilot, initially to altitudes under 15,000 feet, and eventually to near operational altitudes of up to 65,000 feet. Test payload for the demonstrator up to 50 lb and 100 Watts of power. APPLICATIONS Potential government applications include homeland security and related air sovereignty support. Potential civil roles include surveillance, communications and air traffic management.
Potential Markets for NSS StarLight
* DoD, DHS, Intelligence Community for surveillance, communications (C3), security and navigation
* DHS, FEMA, Red Cross, etc. for disaster response and humanitarian relief
* EPA for environmental monitoring
* Telecommunications providers for bundled comm, data, cellular, HDTV
* Industry for hyperspectral imaging, security, vehicle and object tracking
* State and local governments for emergency response, resource management, agriculture news and public service
* Scientific communities for research
* International markets and Third World countries for telecommunications
Starshadow UAV
StarShadow is an advanced medium altitude airship by NSS.
Star Tower
Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
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