The Sceye HAPS is a 65-meter (213 ft) long unmanned aerial vehicle filled with helium, designed to launch vertically and ascend to altitudes between 60,000 and 65,000 feet (18,288 to 19,812 m).
In the context of the increasing demand for Internet connectivity, particularly in remote and hard-to-reach areas, an advanced technological solution is emerging with the potential to change the game. This is Sceye HAPS, a solar-powered drone capable of flying high in the stratosphere to provide high-speed Internet and conduct environmental monitoring missions.
The standout feature of Sceye HAPS is its ability to operate using solar power. Thanks to its high-flying position, the aircraft is always exposed to sunlight and can continuously charge its batteries, allowing it to fly for extended periods without needing to land for refueling.
Sceye HAPS: Mission and Advanced Technology
Sceye, an aerospace company based in Roswell, New Mexico, USA, was founded in 2014 by Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen, who is also the owner of the public health company Vestergaard. With the goal of providing innovative solutions to global challenges, Sceye has developed Sceye HAPS (High Altitude Platform Station), a 65-meter-long drone that uses helium to maintain altitude and solar energy for operation.
Sceye HAPS is designed to launch vertically and fly to altitudes between 60,000 and 65,000 feet (approximately 18,288 to 19,812 meters). At this altitude, it can hover in a fixed position, utilizing gallium selenide and gallium arsenide photovoltaic cells integrated into its silver-coated solar power cover. These solar cells enable the aircraft to maintain continuous operation, even overnight, by harnessing energy stored during the day.
Sceye HAPS can observe a very wide area on the ground, allowing it to perform tasks such as environmental monitoring, supporting rescue operations, and providing Internet services to remote areas.
Diverse Applications and Outstanding Potential
Sceye HAPS is not just an Internet broadcasting vehicle; it also has the capability to perform various other missions. One of its most important applications is providing broadband Internet to remote communities where access to traditional Internet services is challenging. By hovering in the sky, Sceye HAPS can transmit Internet signals directly to the necessary areas, significantly improving connectivity for residents.
Additionally, this aircraft is used for climate and environmental monitoring, tracking natural disasters such as wildfires, and participating in scientific research projects. A notable example is the project in the State of New Mexico, where Sceye HAPS plays a critical role in providing broadband access to the Navajo Nation. Furthermore, this aircraft is part of a five-year study by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to monitor and measure methane emissions.
Thanks to solar energy and its flying altitude, Sceye HAPS can fly continuously for weeks or even months, providing higher economic efficiency compared to other types of drones.
Initial Success and Future Prospects
Sceye HAPS conducted its first test flight in 2021, reaching a maximum altitude of 64,600 feet (approximately 19,690 meters). During this flight, the aircraft demonstrated its ability to maintain an LTE data connection with smartphones on the ground over a distance of more than 140 km, breaking the conventional LTE range limit of about 100 km.
Recently, on August 15, Sceye HAPS achieved another significant milestone by demonstrating its ability to charge during the day through solar cells and then using this energy to hover in place overnight. The flight lasted from the morning of the 15th to noon on the 16th of August, reaching an altitude of 61,000 feet (approximately 18,593 meters). During the flight, the aircraft showed the capability to maintain its position over an operational area and move to another area, proving its stability and flexible application.
Stephanie Luongo, the mission operations manager at Sceye, shared: “This flight is a significant testament to the performance and resilience of our platform. I look forward to witnessing growth and scalability with each subsequent flight.”
Sceye HAPS is getting closer to its commercialization goal in 2025.
Competition and the Future of Sceye HAPS
With a total of 20 successful test flights, Sceye HAPS is nearing its commercialization goal in 2025. However, Sceye is not the only company pursuing this technology. Competitors such as Thales Alenia Space and Lockheed Martin are also developing similar platforms, promising intense competition in the solar-powered drone market.
Nonetheless, with the achievements and potential that Sceye HAPS has demonstrated, its future in providing Internet and environmental monitoring from above is incredibly bright. If successful, Sceye HAPS could not only bring significant changes in how we access the Internet but also open up new opportunities for monitoring and protecting our planet.
