Solar-powered aircraft can act as “pseudo satellites” or atmospheric satellites.

Early artist impression of the High Altitude Platform (HAP). (ResearchGate.Net)

Theoretically, solar-powered aircraft can have unlimited operational time. Those aircraft can reach very high altitudes. The solar-powered aircraft can operate far higher than regular aircraft, which use combustion engines. The air-independent propulsion systems allow the aircraft to fly in a very thin atmosphere. The 73-hour autonomous flight shows the capacity. Of those aircraft. 

Actually, there are two types of solar-powered pseudo-satellites. The heavier-than-air systems. And lighter-than-air systems. The high-flying airships can operate almost at the edge of space. Mylar was first used in space systems in Echo 1 and 2 satellites, which were mylar balloons. In some ideas, the mylar balloon. That is filled with hydrogen. It can raise the sensor gondola to the edge of space. That sensor gondola can be a miniature satellite.  That can conduct ionosphere research. 

High-flying autonomous airships can use hydrogen as a hovering material. That decreases costs. The mylar structure allows them to fly higher than anything before. In military versions, the plasma system can pull plasma over the airship. That makes them invisible to radars. The high-flying pseudo-satellites can use ultraviolet laser scanners. That can threaten stealth fighters. And in the military applications. The laser weapons can defend them against the high-altitude anti-aircraft systems. Most of those High-Altitude Sensor, HAPS-projects or pseudo-satellites are unarmed. 

But it's possible that those systems can also drop weapons, or they can support weapon systems. The HAPS can use laser scanners. Radars and laser microphones are used for surveillance operations. Those systems can also drop different types of drones in an area. 

Pseudo-satellites can change many things. In the world. They can act as surveillance platforms, but as we know. Those large-scale solar-power aircraft. Can. Also, act in the same missions with satellites. Ion technology is one. Of the solutions. That can make those systems even more capable. It can make. Those aircraft fly even higher than they do today. And Ion Stealth can make them invisible. 

“Solar Impulse will have an ultra-light structure and a wingspan of 80 metres, nearly the same size as the new Airbus 380” (ESA)

In the first case, the ion system drives ionized gas faster on the upper side of the electric aircraft wings. That raises the low pressure on the upper side of the wing. And the same ions. They can also bind radar signals that impact the aircraft body. 

The pseudo-satellite can carry drones that it can drop to operational areas. Those drones can search. For things like missing persons. They can operate in remote areas. They can make surveillance missions. Or even in attack mode. The drone can be equipped with microphones and laser systems. That makes it a very sophisticated surveillance system. Those systems can be in the solar-powered mothership drones and quadcopters. The mothership drops into the area. 

Stratobus high altitude airship (HAA) (Wikipedia)

A pseudo-satellite can also be used to launch small satellites into orbit. The solar-powered aircraft can also use its solar panels. To create hydrogen and oxygen in its fuel tanks. The system can use electrolysis to break water molecules. The system needs only water, which it can collect from the air using the new membrane that harvests water from the air. The system can create hydrogen and oxygen for fuel cells. The system can be used. Solar panels in the daytime and fuel cells at night. 

Because those systems use electric engines and propellers, they leave a very low thermal signature. If those systems are made using stealth materials, they can be very hard to detect. Solar-powered pseudo- or atmospheric satellites can provide communication assistance to remote areas. Those aircraft or airships can be equipped with radars, infrared sensors, and optical systems. In some visions, those systems can fly over the battlefield. And it can point targets for laser-homing missiles.

The pseudo-satellite can also carry things. Like radar-homing missiles. The high-flying low-enduring system can also operate as a platform for ASAT systems. The anti-satellite missiles can be installed under those platforms. And they can destroy low-flying satellites. 

https://alert5.com/2025/07/30/converted-solar-impulse-2-aircraft-demonstrates-73-hour-continuous-flight-for-u-s-navy-isr-missions/

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https://www.skydweller.aero/perpetual-flight/solar-impulse-2/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-altitude_platform_station

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar-powered_aircraft