The future of the airborne internet is shaping up with innovative technologies that will provide high-speed wireless connections. By utilizing aircraft hovering at elevated altitudes over major cities, the network promises faster data transmission, bypassing traditional broadband limitations.

The term "broadband" is at the forefront of today's internet conversations. As the demand for faster data transmission, including large media files like audio, video, and images, grows, many users are upgrading from slow modems to cable or DSL connections to handle this surge in bandwidth needs. Meanwhile, a groundbreaking service is under development that could elevate broadband speeds to new heights—literally.

Several companies are working on revolutionary high-speed wireless Internet services by deploying aircraft in stable flight paths above numerous cities. Angel Technologies is pioneering this airborne Internet solution with its High Altitude Long Operation (HALO) network, which would employ light aircraft to offer data speeds surpassing traditional T1 lines for businesses. For consumers, it would offer a connection similar to DSL. Similarly, AeroVironment has partnered with NASA on an unmanned, solar-powered plane that could function like HALO, and Sky Station International is exploring a similar concept using blimps.

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The Sky's the Limit: The Internet Takes Flight

Most computers come equipped with a basic 56K modem, which ideally allows for speeds of 56 kilobits per second (Kbps). However, this is far too slow to handle the larger video and audio files that are in high demand today. This is where broadband comes into play, offering higher data transmission speeds to meet the increasing need. Unlike traditional land-based lines, which are limited by the physical size of the cables, airborne internet removes these restrictions, offering much higher data capacity.

Several companies have already demonstrated that satellite internet access works effectively. The airborne internet will operate in a similar way to satellite internet, but without the significant delay caused by long distances. Although both satellite and airborne internet provide similar bandwidth, airborne systems can transmit data faster due to their lower altitude. Satellites are positioned hundreds of miles above Earth, whereas airborne aircraft will fly between 52,000 and 69,000 feet (15,849 to 21,031 meters), remaining clear of bad weather and commercial air traffic.

High-altitude aircraft networks have an edge over satellites in terms of cost because they can be quickly deployed without the need for space launches. Despite this advantage, the airborne internet won't replace satellite or ground-based networks but will complement them. These aircraft-based networks will address the "last-mile" challenge, which refers to the difficulty of providing high-speed internet access to remote areas using traditional cables. Since airborne networks don’t rely on ground infrastructure, they can immediately provide service as soon as the aircraft is airborne, overcoming the physical distance issues that limit cable-based solutions.

Although the airborne internet promises a vast, wireless network, it won't be entirely without wires. Ground-based components will still be required. To connect to the network, users will need to install an antenna on their property—whether at home or business—to receive signals from the airborne hubs. Additionally, the system will collaborate with existing Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that will provide the necessary high-capacity terminals. These ISPs already have fiber optic infrastructure in place, and the airborne internet will simply extend their reach to areas that are otherwise lacking broadband cables.

In the upcoming sections, we will explore the three aircraft that could be providing you with broadband internet access from above.

A HALO in the Sky

Angel Technologies, one of the leading companies developing airborne internet solutions, is behind the creation of the HALO Network. This innovative network utilizes the Proteus aircraft, which will carry wireless networking gear to deliver internet access from the skies.

The Proteus aircraft, developed by Scaled Composites, is designed with extended wings and low wing loading to support prolonged high-altitude operations. Wing loading is the plane's total weight divided by the area of its wings. Proteus is capable of reaching altitudes between 9.5 and 11.4 miles (15.3 and 18.3 km), covering a circular area with a radius of up to 75 miles (120.7 km). The aircraft is awaiting approval from the Federal Aviation Administration before it can begin operations.

At the core of Angel's Proteus planes is the one-ton airborne-network hub, enabling the plane to transmit data from ground stations to your computer at home or work. This hub includes an array of antennas and electronics for wireless communication. The antennas form numerous virtual cells, much like mobile-phone networks, covering the ground and serving thousands of users. The liquid-cooled payload uses about 20 kilowatts of DC power, while an 18-foot dish beneath the plane reflects high-speed signals from ground stations.

Each city in the HALO Network will be assigned three piloted Proteus planes. These planes will alternate flights, with one plane flying for eight hours while another takes over. Marc Arnold, CEO of Angel, notes that over 3,500 U.S. airports are capable of supporting HALO's needs. After takeoff, the plane will ascend to a safe altitude, well above bad weather and commercial air traffic, and follow an 8-mile circular path around the city. Each plane accommodates two pilots who rotate during the eight-hour flight.

Floating On Air

Sky Station International is counting on its blimps to surpass Angel in the competition to deliver high-speed Internet from the sky. Sky Station refers to these blimps as 'lighter-than-air platforms' and intends to deploy them above at least 250 cities worldwide, with one stationed above each. These airships will operate at 13 miles (21 km) above the ground, offering wireless coverage to an area spanning about 7,500 square miles (19,000 square km).

Each blimp will run on a combination of solar power and fuel cells, carrying up to 2,200 pounds (1,000 kg) of equipment, including a telecommunications payload designed to offer wireless broadband. Sky Station aims to have its first blimp operational by 2002, with a lifespan ranging from five to ten years. The blimps will enable broadband speeds from 2 to 10 Mbps, accessible via user terminals. Click here to learn more about the Sky Station system.

NASA's Sub-space Plans

In the race for airborne Internet, NASA is partnering with AeroVironment to develop a solar-powered, lightweight aircraft capable of flying for six months or longer at 60,000 feet. These unmanned planes will serve as a platform to deliver broadband access, marking NASA's entry into the high-flying Internet industry.

Currently in the prototype phase, Helios still requires extensive testing to meet the necessary endurance for AeroVironment's telecommunications project. Once funding is secured, AeroVironment plans to deploy the system within three years. A single Helios plane at 60,000 feet will cover a 40-mile radius, powered by 14 brushless, 2-horsepower electric motors.

The Helios prototype is built using advanced materials such as carbon fiber, graphite epoxy, Kevlar, and Styrofoam, all encased in a thin, transparent layer. The primary support pole for the wing is made of carbon fiber, intentionally designed to be thicker at the top than the bottom, allowing it to absorb the continuous bending experienced during flight. The wing’s ribs are crafted from epoxy and carbon fiber, with Styrofoam forming the wing’s leading edge, and the entire wing covered in a clear plastic film.

The all-wing aircraft is segmented into six sections, each measuring 41 feet (12.5 meters). Beneath each section of the wing is a pod that contains the landing gear, and these pods also house the batteries, flight-control systems, and data instrumentation. Additionally, it's likely that the network hubs for AeroVironment’s telecommunications system will be situated in these pods as well.

Airborne Internet could soon become a reality. As these planes and blimps begin their flights, they will significantly enhance our current connectivity, making downloading large files for entertainment or business purposes much easier—even for those living in the so-called "last mile" areas.