Technology
Atmospheric satellites offer a much more flexible and lower cost alternative to the current satellite & ground towers technology. However, conventional propulsion systems don’t operate very well in the stratosphere to power an atmospheric satellite. Our novel and patented, plasma-based propulsion system has experimentally demonstrated to deliver enough thrust to sustain an aircraft in the stratosphere.
An atmospheric satellite is possible with three simple steps:
- Safe and low-cost launch - The aircraft is launched into the stratosphere using high-altitude burst balloons.
- High atmospheric altitude achievable - The aircraft is released at an atmospheric altitude of 30 km. At this point, the plasma-based thrusters are turned on, and start propelling the aircraft, using air as propellant and powered by solar panels.
- Safe landing and recovery - Updates, repairs and modifications can be easily performed by bringing the aircraft to the ground by gliding.
Current status
Engineering model of the propulsion system completed
Device has experimentally proven to deliver enough thrust to sustain an aircraft in the stratosphere
Prototype built and tested in the stratosphere
Results demonstrated propulsion system can perform as per laboratory results and up to expectations
Field trials ongoing
Patent Pending for our propulsion system
The Propulsion System
Unlike conventional blade-based propellers, our plasma-based propulsion system is not limited by the low air density, allowing the aircraft to operate at altitudes that are out of reach with conventional methods. Our propulsion system uses electricity to ionize the background gases of the atmosphere and push them out of the nozzle to create thrust. The system is the first plasma-based propulsion system to operate in the stratosphere.
