Skydweller for NASA Science Missions

The NASA Science Mission Directorate has a critical need for a high-altitude long-endurance platform to support extended duration NASA Earth Science missions studying the environment. Potential solutions include satellites, high altitude balloons, and manned observation aircraft. These solutions all have limitations related to persistence, resolution, flexibility, and control. To overcome these limitations and deliver the robust capability the NASA Science Mission Directorate requires, Skydweller US Inc. proposes development of a solar-powered Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) that combines the persistence of a geostationary satellite with the operational flexibility and powerful sensing capabilities of a large surveillance aircraft.

As a persistent flight platform, the proposed Skydweller high-altitude pseudo satellite (HAPS) would enable a multitude of NASA science, communication, and testing missions.

Interest in HAPS for commercial applications such as telecommunications and governmental applications such as remote sensing and surveillance are receiving increasing interest, and the proposed Skydweller HAPS could meeting this emerging market need.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.