Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s a High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS) - an uncrewed airship, plane or balloon watching over Earth from the stratosphere. Operating like satellites but from closer to Earth, HAPS are the ‘missing link’ between drones flying close to Earth’s surface and satellites orbiting in space.They float or fly high above conventional aircraft and offer continuous day-and-night coverage of the territory below. Target applications include search and rescue missions, disaster relief, environmental monitoring and agriculture.

    HAPS offer persistence and flexibility to complement satellites and drones, but the development of reliable platforms has been challenging. In recent years, progress has been spurred by rapid advances in supporting technologies as well as interest from potential end users wishing to employ HAPS to extend their internet services and data activities. In this edition of GV,....