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(GIST OF SCIENCE REPORTER) HIGH- ALTITUDE, PSEUDO- SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY

(MARCH-2024)

HIGH- ALTITUDE, PSEUDO- SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY

India’s successful test flight of a High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS) by The National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) in Bengaluru marks a significant development in the realm of surveillance, disaster management, and communication technologies.

Key details

NAL developed a prototype HAPS capable of flying at 20 km for months powered by solar energy.
This technology offers advantages over traditional UAVs (limited range, battery life) and satellites (high cost, fixed position).
HAPS can provide persistent surveillance, map large areas, and relay communication in remote regions.

The National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL)

It was established in 1959, stands as a cornerstone of India’s endeavor to become a global leader in the aerospace domain.
It functions under the aegis of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
NAL has played a pivotal role in design, development, and testing of diverse aerospace technologies, fostering indigenous capabilities and propelling India’s aerospace ambitions.

What is HAPS?

High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) are a revolutionary class of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) designed to operate in the stratosphere (17-23 km above Earth) for extended durations, powered primarily by solar energy.
While promising diverse applications, from internet connectivity in remote areas to environmental monitoring, HAPS development faces significant engineering hurdles.

Limitations of Existing Technologies

UAVs: Primarily battery-powered, they suffer from

limited flight duration and range, restricting their ability for continuous monitoring. Additionally, their low flying altitudes limit their observational scope.

Satellites: While satellites, particularly geostationary ones, offer wider coverage, their high cost, inflexibility, and inability to constantly monitor specific areas pose challenges.

Advantages of HAPS

Extended Loiter Time: HAPS, designed to operate in the

stratosphere (20km above ground), can stay airborne for months, enabling continuous monitoring for applications like border surveillance, disaster management, and environmental monitoring.

Wider Coverage: Compared to UAVs, HAPS can observe significantly larger areas (200-400 sq km with high resolution) due to their higher altitude.
Flexibility: Unlike geostationary satellites, HAPS can be repositioned and reconfigured with different payloads, offering greater adaptability to diverse needs.
Cost-Effectiveness: While costing less than traditional satellites, HAPS offer similar functionalities, making them a cost-effective solution for specific applications.