Aircraft
British HAPS Projects Aim for the Solar Heights
The Airbus Zephyr and the BAE Systems PHASA-35 offer new airborne communications and observation options.
The Airbus Zephyr-S takes off from a base in Arizona last September. (Photo: Airbus)
The Airbus Zephyr-S takes off from a base in Arizona last September. (Photo: Airbus)

The two British projects to develop solar-powered HAPS (high altitude pseudo-satellites, alternatively known as high altitude platform stations) appear to be leading the field now that most similar efforts in the U.S. and elsewhere have foundered. However, despite a development history stretching back over 20 years, the Airbus Zephyr and the BAE Systems PHASA-35 still have not achieved operational status.