News Update

US Startup Repurposes Solar Impulse 2 as Eco-Friendly “Pseudo-Satellite”

• ByStartupStory     |    March 24, 2023

Back in 2016, the world witnessed a preview of what the future of aviation might look like when a peculiar-looking aircraft covered in over 17,000 solar panels completed a journey around the globe. Despite having a wingspan equivalent to that of a Boeing 747, the aircraft weighed as little as an SUV and didn’t require any fuel to complete its mission.

Solar Impulse 2, a creation of Swiss explorer Bertrand Piccard and Swiss engineer Bertrand Borschberg, was designed to demonstrate the capabilities of renewable energy. Having successfully completed its mission of flying around the world in 2016, the aircraft fulfilled its purpose. However, it is now receiving a fresh start.

Skydweller Aero, a startup company based in the US and Spain, acquired Solar Impulse 2 in 2019. The company has a vision of transforming the aircraft into the world’s initial commercially feasible “pseudo-satellite.” It is intended to carry out the duties of a satellite orbiting the Earth, but with a higher level of adaptability and less negative impact on the environment.

Robert Miller, the CEO of Skydweller, explains that a “pseudo-satellite” is an aircraft that can remain airborne for an extended period, potentially indefinitely. This suggests that the aircraft can perform similar functions to those of a conventional satellite, such as providing telecommunications services, imaging the Earth, and monitoring natural resources. Additionally, the aircraft’s capabilities can aid in responding to disasters.

Cheaper and greener

Employing an aircraft to provide these services has advantages over utilizing satellites. The aircraft option is more economical and adaptable due to satellites’ high construction costs and the need to launch them into orbit using fossil fuel-powered rockets. Furthermore, the aircraft approach is more environmentally responsible, as satellites have a limited operational lifespan and are often abandoned, contributing to the issue of space debris. Studies have also shown that extensive constellations of satellites may harm the ozone layer by discharging chemicals when they burn up during re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere.

Following the acquisition of Solar Impulse 2, Skydweller invested several months into retrofitting the aircraft and conducted its first flight in November 2020. Since then, the aircraft has undergone 12 testing flights, all of which were in the sunny climate of southeastern Spain. According to Miller, the company is presently converting the aircraft into a drone, with the pilot remaining onboard for safety reasons. However, the aircraft can now be flown autonomously.

While the pilot still manages take-offs and landings, Skydweller’s goal is to add automatic systems to perform these tasks. This will enable them to eliminate the pilot from the aircraft altogether, freeing up space for larger payloads and enabling the aircraft to fly for longer periods. Skydweller plans to build a second aircraft without a cockpit, which is essential for achieving its goal. Solar Impulse 2 was able to fly for nearly five days, but the new aircraft could fly for several weeks or months.

Miller expects the aircraft to be operational as soon as 2023, and he envisions a market for a fleet of thousands of such aircraft. In the past, Facebook and Google have tested similar aircraft but have not produced a commercial product. According to Jeremiah Gertler, an aviation analyst at Teal Group, a firm specializing in aerospace and defense market analysis, the demand for Skydweller’s services is likely to increase. While other organizations are offering comparable and distinct solutions for high-altitude and long-endurance missions, being the first in the market has a significant advantage.

Monitoring the oceans

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