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Gradient is developing an aircraft that never has to land. A solar powered system which collects enough energy during the day to remain aloft throughout the night, and can repeat that cycle indefinitely without fuel constraints. Such a capability allows for High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellites (HAPS) which can provide all the same services as our
existing satellite networks, but at vastly reduced cost, complexity, and signal latency. Other attempts are using standard aircraft designs, but cannot achieve the goal with current battery and solar cell technology. Gradient is developing a novel concept aerial system which solves the aerodynamic/structural problem within traditional fixed-wing aircraft, by borrowing a design concept from a helicopter. The Tethered Uni-Rotor Network (TURN) system uses 14X less power than comparable fixed-wing designs, and puts the goal of eternal flight within reach.
