Tethered aerostats typically reach 4000 m above ground level. They are affected by winds. With waveguides in tethers of antenna-bearing aerostats, emergency power can be beamed in relays from other aerostats or ground stations. Free-flying aerodynamic High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) vehicles offer faster response. Solar-powered Flying Leaf (FL) aerodynamic HALE platforms enable meteorology, remote sensing, and solar reflection planet-wide, with potentially unlimited endurance. This new capability complements tethered aerostats and self-propelled lighter-than-air platforms. FLs fly continuously between 20 km and 32 km altitudes, with imaging and broad area coverage, able to stay well above weather. Some sensors can see through clouds and rain. Autonomous and navigating using satellites, the FL system stays up 24-7 and serves as a network connectivity platform. It can see into deep valleys or to a 500 km horizon over oceans. Production launch and monitoring sites are spread worldwide, so they are readily available. Given the wide range of operations, international collaboration is integral to FL architecture, with ground observation and data channels pre-cleared. Essential points have been proven in simulation, ground and flight tests. This chapter explains the technology, explores sensor and communication payloads, and considers relevance to disaster cases. Both Aerostats and FLs also enable other vehicles to bring aid swiftly and accurately.


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    Title :

    Ultralight Platforms to Coordinate First Responders and Communications



    Published in:

    Publication date :

    2023-10-01


    Size :

    11 pages




    Type of media :

    Article/Chapter (Book)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




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