Launch HN: Radical (YC W23) – Autonomous high-altitude solar aircraft
Have you guys thought of borrowing a page from the in-flight tanker/jet refueling playbook and having hot-swappable battery packs that would enable multi-year in-situ sorties with a dedicated swap aircraft or would it just be cheaper to send a replacement vehicle up to rendezvous and take over when it's time to swap out?<p>I imagine that with the general improvements in high cycle-count rechargeable battery chemistry and power/weight density improvements the payloads and sortie lengths would get pretty attractive even in the 4-5 year technology horizon.<p>What is the commercial application for this? What is the economy vs LEO satellite constellations? What is the expected equipment payload and cost of the 110ft wingspan prototype?