Solar-Powered Flying Platform Aims to Improve Internet Access
Originally published Jun 24, 2026
By Rachel Courtland · MIT Technology Review
AI-generated summary based on MIT Technology Review · Aggregated by OffScreenSpace · Human-reviewed and approved on Jun 24, 2026
Key points
- Sceye's solar-powered aircraft is designed to deliver improved internet access from the stratosphere.
- The craft will travel from the U.S. to Japan and hover at an altitude of 18 kilometers.
- The platform aims to provide a cost-effective alternative to satellite-based internet services.
- The project is part of a broader movement to use high-altitude platforms for expanding internet connectivity.
- Sceye plans to operate the aircraft continuously using solar energy.
A solar-powered aircraft developed by New Mexico-based company Sceye is set to launch as early as August, aiming to provide improved internet access from the air. The 200-foot-long craft will travel from the southwestern U.S. to Japan, where it will hover approximately 18 kilometers above the ocean. The platform is designed to operate in the stratosphere, leveraging solar energy to maintain continuous operation. Sceye's project is part of a growing trend of using high-altitude platforms to expand connectivity in remote or underserved regions. The company aims to offer a cost-effective and scalable solution compared to traditional satellite-based internet services.
Read the original story: MIT Technology Review — by Rachel Courtland