A traffic management system includes a portable traffic controller unit with a traffic control module and a processor, integrated traffic signal plans and a traffic signal, and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) including a global positioning system unit, wherein the UAV is configured to transport the portable traffic controller unit to a location with a stationary traffic signal controlled by a roadside traffic controller, wherein the portable traffic controller unit is configured to communicate with the roadside traffic controller to temporarily halt operation of the stationary traffic signal, and wherein the portable traffic controller unit is configured to assume traffic control at the location.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to flight termination systems for tethered aerial vehicles having envelopes. For instance, a flight termination system may include a wire heating element arranged in a loop around the balloon envelope and connected to a strain relief connector, the strain relief connector, and an electrical cable connected to the strain relief connector. The electrical cable is configured to provide current to the wire in order to melt envelope material of the envelope and terminate a flight of the aerial vehicle.

A system includes a plurality of aircrafts, each of which has an antenna for forming a communication area on the ground to provide a radio communication service to a user terminal in the communication area, and a management device for managing the plurality of aircrafts. The management device includes a signal transmitting unit that transmits a remote operation signal to an aircraft selected as the remote operation target from the plurality of aircrafts. Each of the plurality of aircrafts includes a remote operation flying control unit that, when an aircraft is selected as the remote operation target, causes the aircraft to fly based on the remote operation signal received from the management device, and a tuned flying control unit that, when the aircraft is not selected as the remote operation target, causes the aircraft to fly in tune with other aircraft selected as the remote operation target.

The technology relates to techniques for redundant power distribution and monitoring for lighter than air (LTA) vehicles. A power distribution and monitoring system for an LTA vehicle, can include two or more redundant controllers coupled to a multiplexer in a crossbar architecture. Each controller can control the multiplexer and inhibit the other controller in the case of a failure of the other controller. Each controller can control a power switch to direct power from a power source to an electronic component, and can monitor the power source. In some cases, a first controller receives a signal indicting a failure in a second controller, and the first controller inhibits the second controller and directs power from the power source to the electronic component.

The technology relates to managing nighttime power for solar-powered vehicles. A system may include a sunrise estimator for estimating a time until a next sunrise, a battery state estimator for estimating a battery state, a critical battery estimator for determining a battery threshold, below which subsystems may be powered off, and an alert monitor to determine, and communicate to the solar-powered vehicle, a charge threshold and a restart charge threshold. A method may include operating a vehicle in an operational power mode, estimating a time until a next sunrise, estimating a battery state, determining a preservation battery threshold based on the estimated time until the next sunrise and the estimated battery state, determining a minimum charge threshold based on the preservation battery threshold, monitoring a battery charge level of the vehicle throughout the night, and if the battery charge level drops below the minimum charge threshold, implementing a preservation power mode.

A remote controlled lighter-than-air drone assembly that is capable of prolonged flight. The drone assembly utilizes a balloon structure. Separately, a reservoir is provided for holding a smaller second volume of gas. A propulsion system and a control unit are carried by the balloon structure. The control unit selectively transfers the gas from the reservoir to the balloon structure, and selectively vents the gas as needed. A receiver is used to receive command signals from an external source. The command signals are utilized to operate the propulsion system. An electronics suite is provided that can be altered depending upon duties. The electronics suite is used to scan or otherwise monitor an area below the drone assembly. In flight, the balloon structure is translucent and internally illuminated. A projector can be provided for projecting images onto the interior of the balloon structure.

Provided is a system for point to point wireless power transmission including: a plurality of autonomous and semi-autonomous unmanned systems configured as a mobile transmitting and/or receiving power station, through which unmanned systems can navigate, maneuver, beam ride, and recharge from point to point. Provided is a method of adapting unmanned systems to receive and transmit power point-to-point amongst themselves. The method includes controlling a swarm formed from a plurality of autonomous synchronized unmanned systems to form a larger transmitter and receiver for a mobile power station.

Aspects of the technology relate to a braking assembly for a lateral propulsion system of a high altitude platform (HAP) configured to operate in the stratosphere. Power is supplied to a propeller assembly as needed during lateral propulsion so that the HAP can move to a desired location or remain on station. When lateral propulsion is not needed, power is no longer supplied to the propeller assembly and it may slowly cease rotating. However, in certain situations, it may be necessary to cause the propeller assembly to stop rotating as soon as possible. This can include an unplanned descent. Rapid braking can avoid the propeller blades from entangling in the envelope, parachute or other parts of the HAP. A reusable brake is employed to prevent uncontrolled rotation of the propeller on descent, or otherwise to prevent the propeller from spinning freely when not being used to propel the HAP laterally.

Methods, Systems, and Apparatus for coordinating drones to communicate with reduced signal to noise, harvest energy, or provide camouflage.

An assembly and a method for powering an electric aircraft by way of a supplementary energy-supplying device. The electric energy delivered by such device reduces the energy drawn from the battery and recharges the battery when the supplementary electrical power exceeds that consumed. A greater extension of the flight time may be achieved by defining a number of energy profiles that can be automatically activated by energy management components. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the supplementary energy-supplying device is a photovoltaic film covering at least a portion of a frame of the aircraft. The invention relates also to an electric aircraft equipped with the assembly.