A PERFECT COMPLEMENT TO THE SATELLITE

The space sector is undergoing deep changes, with the advent of new technologies under very futuristic names, such as HAPS, space tugs, stratospheric airships, and more. These new “space toys” are not necessarily threats for conventional satellites: some of these projects are in fact intended to complement satellite applications, which still play pivotal roles in major market segments. To take just one very striking example, Thales Alenia Space is now developing the Stratobus project at the head of a consortium of French and European partners. Stratobus is an autonomous stratospheric airship that was just approved by the French government’s “investment in the future” program, with funding of 17 million euros. Stratobus will carry payloads to perform missions such as the surveillance of borders or high-value sites, on land or at sea (videosurveillance of offshore platforms, etc.), security (the fight against terrorism, drug trafficking, etc.), environmental monitoring (forest fires, soil erosion, pollution, etc.) and telecommunications (Internet, 5G). Midway between a drone and a satellite, making a low-cost product offering permanent regional coverage and ideally complementing satellite solutions. Using only solar energy and green technologies, Stratobus has a very small carbon footprint – much smaller than that of a small private plane.” Thales Alenia Space and partners plan to launch a demonstrator in 2018, followed by the first qualification and certification flights in 2020.