Atmospheric satellites, usually abbreviated atmosat or pseudo-satellite (UK),are Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV). Atmospheric satellites operate within the atmosphere at high altitudes for extended periods of time; generally these large UAVs are powered by solar panel arrays and rechargeable batteries. These unmanned systems are capable of performing missions economically and deliver more versatility than low earth orbit conventional satellites. Some applications include; border patrol, atmospheric observation, weather monitoring, actionable intelligence, communications relay, earth imaging, oceanographic research, agricultural observation, disaster recovery, Internet communication, and many more uses in the defense and civil sector across different industries.

Hermes ATMOSAT UAV

Hermes ATMOSAT UAV is an advanced solar powered stratospheric geostationary satellite platform unmanned aerial vehicle with a wing span slightly longer than the one of a 747 commercial airliner. The system is capable of hovering 20 kilometers above the earth surface in unregulated airspace within the stratosphere and above the weather for extreme periods of time, by using air propellers, aviation solar panels and batteries. Hermes ATMOSAT UAV system operates for communication services at a height of almost 20,000 meters or 65,000 feet, at these altitudes it is possible to achieve a general field of view encompassing approximately 45,000 square kilometers. Hermes is capable of providing stratospheric parking for more than 100 kilograms of payload. Operators will have the versatility to park a geostationary payload directly above a specific area for very long periods of time. Atmospheric satellites ability to fly continually is a breakthrough in aviation history, with such high-altitude, long-endurance and interchangeable operational capabilities. Hermes ATMOSAT UAV it’s a larger and more robust platform than many of its experimental solar powered predecessors. Hermes is a high tech innovative near-earth mission capable atmospheric satellite. Hermes ATMOSAT UAV incorporates all the enabling technologies for a state of the art leading ATMOSAT platform. Hermes Atmospheric Satellite UAV can remain airborne for more than five years without ever having to land or refuel. One of the main advantages offered by Hermes ATMOSAT UAV is that it can be brought back down if needed for maintenance or upgrades. Additionally end-users/operators can retrieve their payload back at the end of the mission, this is usually impossible with conventional satellites. Hermes is also considerably more economical and mission capable when compared to conventional satellite systems.

Some of the telecommunication applications include; HDTV broadcasts, latest generation (4G) mobile voice transmission, video transmission, and data relays using off-the-shelf mobile handsets, and high speed internet connection. To equal the communication relay capabilities of a mounted cellular base station on Hermes ATMOSAT UAV, it would take more than a hundred terrestrial cell towers on the ground. 

This revolutionary technology is here to stay, and we are part of it!