Long Endurance Medium Altitude Platform
There isn't presently in the market a long endurance (i.e.: permanent) and relatively stationary high altitude platform for payloads of Earth observation or telecommunications, the latest ranging from satellite repeaters at high altitudes to providing a lower cost and easily deployable mobile network infrastructure with increased line of sight range. The concept by which Omnidea achieves this objective is by tethering an inflatable and easily deployable platform, thus keeping the payload airborne by having this platform mildly lighter-than-air with the ability to generate by Magnus effect an order of magnitude higher aerodynamic lift force (when compared to buoyancy) in order to withstand the drag imposed by wind. Additionally being tethered power to the airborne subsystems can be permanently fed from the ground minimizing the need to land.
Applications:
Who We Are
Our research team, with varied engineering backgrounds, handles the complex problems arising from the experience with aerospace technology and energy systems, while simultaneously providing solutions to the challenges involved in any R&D activity. We are a group of engineers, actively engaged in the pursuit for “next generation” energy conversion systems. Reaching this goal requires extensive work in the development of airborne structures, knowledge of unconventional means of propulsion and a throughout understanding of energy transfer forms.
History
Founded in August 2003, OMNIDEA is a Portuguese small to medium enterprise (SME) incubated in the European Space Agency (ESA. After an initial period in the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) of ESA in Noordwijk (The Netherlands), Omnidea evolved into an independent company and, even though its ties to ESA remain as strong as ever, it has definitely achieved critical dimension. Amongst the highlights of its brief history we emphasize the victory achieved, with the ENERGON project, in the “New Venture Business Plan” competition held in the Netherlands in 2004, but also the portfolio of submitted patents that grant Omnidea a comfortable starting position into its technology oriented future.