Thales Stratobus to launch into stratosphere

Thales Alenia Space has signed a €43 million contract that should finally see its Stratobus high altitude airship fly. Stratobus is a 140m long non-rigid stratospheric airship inflated with helium

Stratobus Airship, Thales Alenia Space (Thales 2016a).

Half drone, half satellite, meet Stratobus

Lockheed Martin high altitude airship ( Source : www.lockheedmartin.com).

What's up with Stratobus?

StratoBus airship prototype targeted within next five years (w/ video)

Stratobus: A Feature Hybrid of Unmanned Air Vehicles for the European Air Defence Structure - Finabel

Stratobus: A Feature Hybrid of Unmanned Air Vehicles for the European Air Defence Structure - Finabel

Stratobus: Autonomous surveillance and telecoms 20km above Earth

Stratobus Airship, Thales Alenia Space (Thales 2016a).