Space Data SkySites® Log Quarter Million Hours
"Near Space" Technology Providing Energy and Defense Communications
Chandler, AZ
September 15, 2008
Space Data Corporation has logged its 250,000th hour of flying time over the United States today. Principally serving the energy industry in remote locations, the innovative technology is providing monitoring and control of oil and gas equipment throughout the southwest. Space Data is the first enterprise to make commercial use of “near space””—the part of the atmosphere higher than planes can fly, but lower than satellites.
Space Data integrated three proven technologies—ever-shrinking electronics, industrial weather balloons and Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) technology to provide a safe and low-cost communications system that is particularly effective for remote locations. The SkySite® Network consists of high-altitude, balloon-borne transceivers known as SkySite® Platforms, which are launched every 24 hours. Each SkySite® Platform takes just 20 minutes to launch and rises to an altitude of 60,000 to 100,000 feet in about one hour, creating a coverage circle more than 400 miles in diameter SkySite® Platforms are the only Unmanned Air Vehicles that are approved by the FAA to operate commercially in the U.S. airspace.
”In truth, our flying time is actually well past the quarter million mark because the military applications are not included in these calculations,” explained Jerry Knoblach, chairman and CEO of Space Data. In 2005, the Air Force awarded a $49 million contract to Space Data and is deploying the technology.
Space Data has adapted its commercial technology to a military platform it calls StarFighter™. The military application extends the range of standard issue military two-way radios from 10 miles to nearly 500 miles and increases the battery life of the radios by a factor of ten. The battery saving is a big deal to a special operation’s warrior who must carry a heavy pack that is up to one third batteries these days.
StarFighter™ uses high-altitude radio repeaters which allow troops to instantly relay critical combat information and data to forward-deployed troops or combat air support under any conditions, including rugged terrain, remote areas, and even sand storms. This platform is a low-cost alternative that provides portable radio systems with the same communications coverage previously available only via bulky and expensive satellite equipment.
For more information, see http://www.spacedata.net.
Contact: Tim Ayers 202-422-5048.