Stratellite
Stratellite is an airship project of Sans Wire Networks, LLC from Florida / USA ( a 100 per cent subsidiary of GlobeTel Communications Corp.. ), The goal is to build an unmanned airship that is similar serve a satellite in approximately 20,000 meters for the transmission of telecommunications data should. Such efforts are also under the name altitude platform ( high altitude platform).
An airship is to remain up to 18 months in the air before another ship is in its position and it returns to the ground for maintenance.
Development
On 12 April 2005, the prototype " Sans Wire One" ( Sans Wire 1 ) was presented to the public. In early May 2005, he was filled with helium and then finished in San Bernardino, tested and ready for its maiden flight. He is opposed to the planned airship only 57.30 m (188 ft) long, but does still currently the largest airship in the world dar. Inside are fixed braces, which consist, like the skeleton of aluminum. In the spaces between the gas cells are incorporated.
" Sans Wire One", is a prototype that will serve to test all components.
On September 6, 2005, inter alia, a declaration of intent with the German Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research ( STW ) signed. Together they are researched in the development of solar electric propulsion.
Also, the U.S. Department of Defense is interested in this technology and works with Sans Wire together. Therefore, a part of the Stratellite program is subject to military secrecy. The first flight was planned with the help of the U.S. Air Force and NASA at Edwards Air Force Base. After a Sans Wire press release dated 11 October 2005, the maiden flight was conducted under the eyes of the military and invited guests. Further details were not disclosed.
On November 15, 2005 ( press release Sans Wire of 16 November) have been made with invited guests with 2 military test airships of various sizes under the name " Sky Dragon " demonstration flights before an invited audience at the Sans Wire site in Palmdale / California. The University of Stuttgart is concerned about the collaboration with Sans Wire in the project. About the airships themselves no details have been given. They were made in Palmdale and already tested before. The term " Sky Dragon " is also used by the U.S. Aeros Corporation for a long time for their manned blimp type Aeros 40B.
Furthermore, (November 16, 2005 Balance ) is working on Sans Wire 2, which is to serve as a technology demonstrator for Sans Wire 3, the first commercial ship.
Communication
From his position in the sky an area of approximately 775 000 square kilometers, is located within the direct line of sight to the horizon. The radius for direct wireless communication should be about 320 kilometers.
Drive and control
The control is carried out from a ground station, with most functions automatically. Several GPS sensors help the ship to maintain its position on the ground or to follow the prescribed course.
The drive power for the electric motors comes from flexible solar cells on the outer of the two air ship hulls and daytime cached for night operation. To are developed by Proton Energy Systems, fuel cells are used, which can generate hydrogen in the daytime in reverse operation ( RFC regenerative fuel cell ).
The shell itself is made of Spectra, a high-strength polyethylene fiber ( UHMWPE ), which in its properties some is comparable with aramid fibers.
Technical data of the planned airship
- Length: 75 meters (245 ft)
- Width: 44 meters (145 ft)
- Height: 26.5 meters (87 ft)
- Lifting gas volume: 2.000 cubic meters ( 69,000 cft ) filling the soil
- Total: about 76,000 cubic meters ( 2.7 million cft )
- Load capacity: 0.5 to 1.5 tons, depending on the configuration of the vessel
- Ceiling: 21,300 m ( 70,000 ft)
- Planned altitude 19,800 m ( 65,000 ft)
FBI investigations against former executives GlobeTel
The former CEO of GlobeTec, Timothy Huff has been sentenced to 50 months in prison in 2010 because of " Securities and Tax Fraud Conspiracy ". He had driven among others, along with accomplices on the share price of his company in a fraudulent way in the air. Other former executives were sentenced to heavy fines, prison sentences and prohibitions, uA Lawrence Lynch (CFO ), Joseph J. Monterosso (CTO ), Luis Vargas.