1.

INTRODUCTION:

Thales Alenia Space announced the official kickoff of its Stratobus research
and development project. Stratobus is an autonomous stratospheric airship that has
recently been approved by the French government’s ‘investment in the future’ program,
with funding of €17 million. These funds cover a 24-month development phase for key
enabling technologies, culminating in the construction of a demonstrator.

Since the project has also won support from four different French regions,
additional funding of about €3 million is expected. Thales Alenia Space is the lead
company, and also in charge of systems integration, avionics, solar arrays and
certification.

Stratobus will be positioned at an altitude of about 20 km (12 miles) over its

theatre of operations, in the lower layer of the stratosphere, which offers sufficient
density to provide lift for the balloon. Winds at this altitude are moderate and stable
throughout the entire zone between the tropics, at not more than 90 km/h (55 mph),
allowing the airship to remain stationary by using its electric propulsion system.
Stratobus will carry payloads to perform missions such as the surveillance of borders or
high-value sites, on land or at sea (video surveillance of offshore platforms, etc.),
security (the fight against terrorism, drug trafficking, etc.), environmental monitoring
(forest fires, soil erosion, pollution, coastal erosion, etc.) and telecommunications
(Internet, 5G).

“The new market for high-altitude pseudo satellites, or HAPS, is estimated at

one billion dollars from now to 2020, but is awaiting a product. With Stratobus offering
a field of view of 500 kilometres, we’re convinced that it will win a large share of this
market,” said Jean-Loic Galle, President and Chief Executive Officer of Thales Alenia
Space.

Thales Alenia Space project manager Jean-Philippe Chessel added: “Stratobus

is 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.”

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 Thales Alenia Space and partners plan to launch a demonstrator in 2018,
followed by the first qualification and certification flights in 2020. A number of
potential customers have already been identified. Market forecasts indicate a return on
investment in less than three years following its commercialization.

2. STRATOBUS:

The Stratobus is a new concept for a stratospheric, stationary, completely

autonomous data capture and transmission platform. A project that presents a concept
of something between drone and satellite is under way. The vehicle is called Stratobus,
developed in Europe. The Stratobus will be able to carry out missions such as border
and maritime surveillance, telecommunications, broadcasting and navigation. Potential
applications include boosting GSM network capacity for public events and GPS
augmentation over dense traffic areas. The shell fabric is made of braided carbon fiber.
The Stratobus will be able to carry payloads up to 200kg. The first prototype is planned
for rollout within the next five years. Stratobus is described as an autonomous
stationary platform and the company emphasized its two notable features, the ability to
carry out long endurance observation and complete autonomy from a fixed position.
The Stratobus project is led by Thales Alenia Space, which is focused on space
telecommunications and navigation. "We design, Integrate, test and operate high-
performance satellite technologies in both civil and defence sectors," according to the
company notes. Airbus Defence & Space, Zodiac Marine and CEA-Liten are partners.
The project is part of the creation of an airship company by the Pegase competitiveness
cluster in southern France.

Fig 2.1: Stratobus

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 Stratospheric balloons are mostly used by the scientific community to study
the atmosphere, its chemistry and dynamics. They are also valuable tools for
astronomer’s and biologists, or for demonstrating technologies. One of the major
advantages of Stratobus is that it's transportable, because of its modular design,
allowing it to be packed in standard shipping containers. That means it is perfectly
capable of being shipped by sea, rail or air. Furthermore, it doesn't need a launch
system; an area the size of a football field is enough for it to take off and reach the
stratosphere in less than four hours ig difference.

For instance, Stratobus can be used to provide low-cost telecoms in certain

remote territories in a more efficient manner than other efforts. And as it sits lower in
the atmosphere than satellites, it can provide an intermediary link between them and
other aircraft, as well as capturing higher resolution visuals within a regional overage.

Above all, Stratobus concentrates innovations. Stratobus uses a solar

concentrator inside the balloon (Thales Alenia Space patent) and a reversible fuel cell
that provides a large amount of onboard energy, while minimizing weight and the
envelope's surface area, 24/7.

“Another innovation is that Stratobus uses a "ring around the balloon" to allow
it to rotate so that it's always facing the Sun during the day, in all seasons. The
reversible fuel cell is powered by a solar array, and stores enough energy during the day
to power Stratobus at night. It uses two electric motors located on either side of the
balloon to maintain its stationary position.”

The space sector today is undergoing major changes. For telecoms, in

particular, customers now expect flexibility, modularity, competitiveness and
production under tight deadlines. Stratobus perfectly reflects this new technological
landscape, which is increasingly demanding in terms of innovative solutions.

Stratobus volume is 50,000 cubic meters. Chessel said the pressurized gas will
be either helium or hydrogen, with hydrogen preferred because it is less costly to
produce and is lighter, saving 300 kilograms over helium. But hydrogen has the
downside of requiring special safety procedures.

Operating in the tropics with sufficient sunlight year-round, Stratobus could

remain on station for up to five years, Chessel said. At more-northern latitudes, the

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platform would be limited to the spring and summer months and could operate for eight
months.

3. FEATURES:

 In permanent contact with a light ground station.

 Stationary position allowing all kinds of missions, day and night.
 A concept and technologies resistant to the environment operation guaranteed
day and night for a whole year.
 Constantly fighting against the wind.
 Can withstand to the wind speed up to 90 km/h.
 The engine power adapts to the speed.
 Fixed position guaranteed against the wind.
 A burning sun all day outside temperature of –50°c to -80°c.

4. APPLICATIONS:

4.1 MOBILE COMMUNICATION:

4.1.1 Broad-band wireless systems:

Wireless networks can feature data rates roughly equivalent to some wired
networks, such as that of asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) or a cable modem.
Wireless networks can also be symmetrical, meaning the same rate in both directions
(downstream and upstream), which is most commonly associated with fixed wireless
networks. A fixed wireless network link is a stationary terrestrial wireless connection,
which can support higher data rates for the same power as mobile or satellite systems.

Few wireless Internet service providers (WISPs) provide download speeds of

over 100 Mb/s; most broadband wireless access (BWA) services are estimated to have a
range of 50 km (31 mi) from a tower. Technologies used include LMDS and MMDS, as
well as heavy use of the ISM bands and one particular access technology was
standardized by IEEE 802.16, with products known as WiMAX.

WiMAX is highly popular in Europe but has not met full acceptance in the
United States because cost of deployment does not meet return on investment figures.

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In 2005 the Federal Communications Commission adopted a Report and Order that
revised the FCC’s rules to open the 3650 MHz band for terrestrial wireless broadband
operations.

4.1.2 Intelligent transport systems:

Although ITS may refer to all modes of transport, EU Directive 2010/40/EU of

7 July 2010 on the framework for the deployment of intelligent transport systems in the
field of road transport and for interfaces with other modes of transport defines ITS as
systems in which information and communication technologies are applied in the field
of road transport, including infrastructure, vehicles and users, and in traffic
management and mobility management, as well as for interfaces with other modes of
transport.

Recent governmental activity in the area of ITS – specifically in the United

States – is further motivated by an increasing focus on homeland security. Many of the
proposed ITS systems also involve surveillance of the roadways, which is a priority of
homeland security. Funding of many systems comes either directly through homeland
security organizations or with their approval. Further, ITS can play a role in the rapid
mass evacuation of people in urban centres after large casualty events such as a result
of a natural disaster or threat. Much of the infrastructure and planning involved with
ITS parallels the need for homeland security systems.

In the developing world, the migration from rural to urbanized habitats has
progressed differently. Many areas of the developing world have urbanized without
significant motorization and the formation of suburbs. A small portion of the population
can afford automobiles, but the automobiles greatly increase congestion in these
multimodal transportation systems.

They also produce considerable of air pollution, pose a significant safety risk,
and exacerbate feelings of inequities in the society. High-population density could be
supported by a multimodal system of walking, bicycle transportation, motorcycles,
buses, and trains

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 4.1.3 Intelligent transport technologies:

Intelligent transport systems vary in technologies applied, from basic

management systems such as car navigation; traffic signal control systems; container
management systems; variable message signs; automatic number plate recognition or
speed cameras to monitor applications, such as security CCTV systems; and to more
advanced applications that integrate live data and feedback from a number of other
sources, such as parking guidance and information systems; weather information;
bridge de-icing (US dicing) systems; and the like. Additionally, predictive techniques
are being developed to allow advanced modelling and comparison with historical
baseline data. Some of these technologies are described in the following sections.

4.1.4 High altitude stratospheric platform station systems (HAPS):

HAPS have the potential to become the third communications infrastructure

after terrestrial and satellite communications. The platforms keep their positions at
about 20 km high in the stratosphere. By optical intercommunication links, they make a
mesh-like network in the sky. A broadband access link is the link between the platform
station and the user station.

Fig 4.1: Simple HAPS System

The typical bit rate of the access link is 25 Mb/s for most fixed and portable
terminals, while a several hundred megabits per second link is available for limited
fixed terminals with antennas larger than the typical ones. Because of using millimetre-
wave bands, a small antenna with high gain is feasible. For example, a bit rate of 144
kb/s can be provided for vehicles by only a 5 cm dish antenna with 20 dB gain.

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4.2 EARTH OBSERVATION:

Understand and analyzing global environmental conditions is an essential

element of guaranteeing our safety and quality of life. Among other things, we need to
be able to spot environmental disasters in a timely manner, and to monitor and manage
the Earth’s natural resources. For this purpose, a number of Earth Observation stratobus
are in stratosphere for Earth observations. Data collected by these stratobus allow us to
understand the processes and interactions among land masses, oceans, and atmosphere.
The utility of different data sets for different applications are agriculture, forestry,
geology, risk management, cartography, environment, and defence.

4.2.1 Agriculture:

Agriculture is one of the most important application fields using Earth

Observation data from all missions, where other data sources are often too expensive or
too restricted in scope. Typical applications include crop inventory, yield prediction,
soil/crop condition monitoring and subsidy control. The scale of products varies, but
typical applications are based on the recognition of individual agricultural parcels.

4.2.2 Forestry:

EO data has assumed great importance in forest mapping and management,

fire damage monitoring and the increasingly important problem of illegal logging in
many countries. Typical applications include inventory & updating, Mapping, Change
detection, Forest Health Analyses, Fragmentation Analyses, Forest road maps, Digital
Elevation Model.

Fig 4.2: stratobus view of forest fire

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 4.2.3 Geology:

Geology and related oil, mineral and gas exploration activities make up an
application segment that takes full advantage of stratobus capabilities. The large-scale
stratobus view allows the generation of Rock Unit Maps and Tectonic Structure Maps.
Interferometer allows the generation of Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) and the
monitoring of mining subsidence, while radar data are a powerful tool for off-shore oil
seep detection and monitoring. Alternative methodologies, such as the use of existing
published maps, ground survey mapping or aerial photography, when available, need be
used only when very local and detailed information is required.

Fig 4.3: stratobus view of an area

4.2.4 Risk management:

Risk management is one of the fields where EO data may play a primary role.
Three different risk situations may be considered:

 Pre-crisis
 During crisis
 Post-crisis

Products needed in the first situation are mainly related to the collection of
land cover, geological and hydrological information, while near-real time mapping and
tracking of events is required in crisis and post crisis situations. Currently stratobus data
are commonly used for the management of risk situations, but very demanding user
requirements (particularly for better revisit times), prevent fully operational use. There
are unexploited opportunities in this field.

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 In the three possible risk management situations, crisis prevention is currently
seen as the main opportunity, much more than crisis monitoring and damage
assessment. This is mainly due to the fact that the coverage needs of crisis monitoring
and damage assessment are less than those required for prevention or for monitoring of
an on-going crisis. In addition, the number of crises occurring around the world in one
year remains rather small. The importance of post-crisis analysis could be improved if
the insurance sector should start operational use of stratobus data for the assessment of
damage due to natural disasters.

4.2.5 Cartography:

Earth Observation data make an excellent basis for medium to large scale
cartography. Consequently, this segment makes extensive use of stratobus data,
especially in those situations where the requirements for accuracy can be met, and
alternative data sources are too expensive or even unavailable. Stratobus data, with
different processing levels, are used for the generation of cartography and digital
elevation models.

Fig 4.4: stratobus coastal view

4.2.6 Environment:

Stratobus carry highly sensitive imagers and sounders to monitor the Earth's
environment, including the vertical thermal structure of the atmosphere; the movement
and formation of clouds; ocean temperatures; snow levels; glacial movement; and
volcanic activity. These stratobus are typically self-contained systems that carry their
own communications systems for distributing the data they gather in the form reports
and other products for analyzing the condition of the environment. Stratobus are

9
particularly useful in this case because they can provide continuous coverage of very
large geographic regions. Earth Observation data offer powerful solutions for
environmental monitoring. The data can be used mainly - Land Use / Land Cover maps,
Hydrological / Watershed map, Wildlife Habitat Maps, Land Unit Maps Soil
Contamination Map, Surface Water Condition Maps, Wetland Analyses, Quarries and
Waste Identification, Desertification analysis.

4.2.7 Defence & Security:

For the defence and security, EO information is a key information source, and
it is handled with more and more sophisticated Geological Information System
instruments. The main applications are the generation of maps, target monitoring and
detection, and digital elevation model generation.

Fig 4.5: stratobus in defence

4.3 WEATHER:

The stratobus are also used to monitor the weather and climate of the Earth.
Stratobus are in stratosphere, covering the part of Earth asynchronously, or
geostationary, hovering over the same spot on the equator.

Stratobus see more than clouds and cloud systems. City lights, fires, effects of
pollution, auroras, sand and dust storms, snow cover, ice mapping, boundaries of ocean
currents, energy flows, etc. These Stratobus images helped in monitoring the volcanic
ash cloud and activity from other volcanoes. Smoke from fires has also been monitored.
These stratobus can detect changes in the Earth's vegetation, sea state, ocean colour,
and ice fields.

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 Fig 4.6: Stratobus view of cyclone

Observation is typically made via different 'channels' of the Electromagnetic

spectrum, in particular, the Visible and Infrared portions.Some of these channels
include

• Visible and Near Infrared: 0.6 μm – 1.6 μm – For recording cloud cover during the
day

• Infrared: 3.9 μm – 7.3 μm (Water Vapour), 8.7 μm, – 13.4 μm (Thermal imaging)

4.3.1 Visible spectrum:

Visible-light images from stratobus during local daylight hours are easy to
interpret even by the average person; clouds, cloud systems such as fronts and tropical
storms, lakes, forests, mountains, snow ice, fires, and pollution such as smoke, smog,
dust and haze are readily apparent. Even wind can be determined by cloud patterns,
alignments and movement from successive photos.

4.3.2 Infrared spectrum:

The thermal or infrared images recorded by sensors called scanning

radiometers enable a trained analyst to determine cloud heights and types, to calculate
land and surface water temperatures, and to locate ocean surface features. Infrared
Stratobus imagery can be used effectively for tropical cyclones with a visible eye
pattern, using the Dvorak technique, where the difference between the temperature of
the warm eye and the surrounding cold cloud tops can be used to determine its intensity
(colder cloud tops generally indicate a more intense storm). Infrared pictures depict
ocean eddies or vortices and map currents such as the Gulf Stream which are valuable

11
to the shipping industry. Fishermen and farmers are interested in knowing land and
water temperatures to protect their crops against frost or increase their catch from the
sea. Even El Nino phenomena can be spotted. Using colour-digitized techniques, the
gray shaded thermal images can be converted to colour for easier identification of
desired information.

5. REVOLUTION IN BUSINESS FIELD:

Though the opportunities for increasing broadband links and for profit are
enormous, Stratobus are still in their infancy. They present several problems that have
yet to be fully addressed. The public may be concerned about such large, unmanned
payloads stationed above metropolitan areas and recent developments in sub-orbital
flight could eventually lead to traffic problems in the stratosphere.

More importantly, critics question whether technology really exists that can
keep Stratobus on station for such long periods of time. Once these concerns are
overcome and working Stratobus are available, the potential exists for vastly expanding
broadband links.

Some telecommunications providers have recognized this marketing

opportunity and already have formed joint ventures with the space industry and
balloon-makers. However, in addition to marketing, Stratobus will require ground
control and maintenance, and used Stratobus will require refurbishment before
redeployment, tasks which the manufacturers and marketers may well lack the capacity
or desire to perform.

As broadband requirements increase, Stratobus present a mobile, low-cost,

high-capacity alternative to satellite relays and cell towers. In remote areas, over the
oceans, in metropolises, and in areas stricken by disaster, Stratobus will immediately
provide broadband access and broadcast capacity. Prototypes are in testing and
development now.

The potential benefits of Stratobus are so great that it is not a question of

whether the technological problems will be solved, but when. Soon Stratobus will be
bringing the Internet, cell phone access, radar monitoring, and radio and television
service to all corners of the globe.

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5.1 MARKETABILITY AND COSTS:

In addition to providing “two-way” communication, Stratobus make more

sense than wireless systems and satellites: (1) there is no use of huge ugly cellular
towers, since they are in orbit, and (2) they are far cheaper to launch, maintain and
upgrade than satellites. However, there are still two big concerns: if Stratobus will
actually work, and their cost as launching things into space (or near space) can be
costly.

Using wireless equipment, a company would have to install over 14,000

cellular towers to cover the same area as Thales proposed Stratobus based national
wireless network. That means that there will be over 14,000 more ugly towers to hide.
In addition, this technology will make the need for expensive cabling obsolete.

“One of the many advantages our High Altitude Airships have over satellite
technology is that the payload can easily be recovered, upgraded, and re-launched in a
matter of hours.” Thus, each airship can be retrieved and re-used.

Even if these costs are kept down Stratobus do not come without problems or
doubters. They have to float inside 200 to 300 meter box and that’s hard for an airship.
After you solve that problem, you have to create a service that can perform better and
cheaper than DSL. In addition, Stratobus are susceptible to the same kinds of
interferences that satellite systems currently are.

Overall, the idea of a Stratobus wireless network seem to be marketable in the

sense that they would be more cost effective than satellites and cellular towers, and
with the proper testing they potentially have the ability to turn the whole country in one
giant hot spot. This is something that from judging by the popularity and use of
“hotspots” the nation is ready for.

6. ADVANTAGES:

 Stationary position and stable.

 An easy transportable device.
 Constantly fighting against the wind.
 Resistant to UV.

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  Autonomous solar energy.
 An easily transportable device.
 Easy to deploy.
 A low cost platform at only 20km.
 A remote control device.
 Aerodynamic design.
 Hermetic and innovative.
 Shall fabric in braidad carbon fiber.
 Plug and play payload on nacelle.
 Ultra light mass.

7. DISADVANTAGES:

 Low wind resistant.

 Covers less area.
 May lead to traffic problems in stratosphere.
 Would require efficient ground control and maintenance.
 Unlike with a satellite, a stratobus is at the mercy of the weather.
 So far, this technology remains non-commercialized, and is in a prototype stage
for further developments.

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8. CONCLUSION:

Today, Earth scientists' goals are to not only observe weather patterns around
our world, but to determine the causes and effects of climate and environmental change.
With increasingly sophisticated Stratobus remote sensors, we can measure a wide range
of geophysical parameters with unprecedented accuracy and resolution. Moreover, we
can now measure how changing certain aspects of the climate system can have a "ripple
effect" through other aspects of the climate system Scientists are feeding these new
Stratobus data, collected throughout the Earth's climate system, into sophisticated new
computer models that, ultimately, will enable them to predict climate changes months,
years, or even decades before they occur. If we are to become better stewards of our
home planet if we are to leave abundant natural resources to our grandchildren and to
their grandchildren then we must continue monitoring our planet with Stratobus sensors
ever improving our understanding of how the Earth system works. Once the defects of
Stratobus have been overcome and become more reliable, they play a vital role in the
future generation wireless communication.The first demonstration balloon ready to be
developed to create a new industrial sector for tomorrow.

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9. REFERENCES:

[1] Interview Jean-Philippe Chessel Thales Q & A.

[2] Remy Decour, "The Stratobus project" in Air & Cosmos, March 11, 2016.

[3] Jean-Philippe Chessel, Stratobus: between the drone and satellite Conference made
the group of the French Riviera 3AF the March 01, 2016.

[4] Sophie Jousselin, "With Stratobus, Internet soon fall from the sky," audio on RTL
May 01, 2016.

[5] Public opinion had been hit in its time, the Hindenburg zeppelin crash in 1937.

[6] Michel Bovas, "The Stratobus stratospheric airship project is launched," in L'Usine
Nouvelle, April 27, 2016.

[7] Jean-Pierre Largillet, "The nod of Thierry Mandon Thales Alenia Space!”In
WebTimeMedias, April 27, 2016.

[8] Florent Bonnefoi, "One step closer to the airship" made in Istres "" in Provence,
April 11, 2016.

[9] Stratobus off! , Press release Thales Alenia Space, April 26, 2016.

[10] Gaelle Arama, "Thierry Mandon:" The State shall continue its efforts "," in Nice-
Matin, April 27, 2016.

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