The Frontier Channel first covered “Stratellites” in our August 2004 edition. With ambitious plans to replace cellular towers all over the world with balloon-lofted platforms in the stratosphere, Sanswire Networks officially unveiled their prototype vessel to investors yesterday. They plan public unveilings and a flight test as soon as they can get FAA and NASA approval.

One robotic stratellite will float high above a city and offer a wireless broadband and cellular footprint the size of the Texas. Stratellites will be rotated every few months for maintenance. Competitors have similar plans, but Sanswire Networks has a good head start. As soon as the company releases images to the public, The Frontier Channel will provide a look. The image currently available from Sanswire Networks is concept art for the stratellite.

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