Palmdale, California-based Sanswire is using HotZone 4010 technology from its parent GlobeTel Communications Corp aboard a test craft, the 2A Technology Demonstrator Stratellite, which last week was floated above the company’s HQ to allow invited dignitaries from government and industry to surf the web and make calls from DECT phones, as well as view a live video surveillance feed.
Last week’s test was with a tethered airship and Sanswire said in a statement that it would now proceed to untethered flight testing at Edwards Air Base. It added that the data from the first test will be used to determine the timing of its roadmap.
Sanswire’s plans are for the commercial operation of a Stratellite in the stratosphere serving remote areas and ones with inhospitable terrain, as well as a back-up in the event of damage to terrestrial equipment. It also has plans for lower-altitude airships with a shorter active life for emergency communications or in border patrol and battlefield scenarios.