Ref: IPTIF/TD/IP/007

The low earth orbit satellites have growing concerns: most rockets are not reusable, the launched satellites are rarely serviceable or upgradeable, the operational costs of reusable/single-use rockets are high and the space debris is an ever increasing issue.

Alternatively, long endurance airplanes would operate at lower altitudes (20-60Km), would be self launching/landing and hence serviceable/upgradeable. Small communication and surveillance equipment enables even smaller aircrafts to act as good satellites, as signal losses would be much lower at lower altitudes. We intend to build such a solution rivaling Nasa Helios, Airbus Zephyr, Solar Impulse and Boeing Odysseus.