High altitude information services platform, having at least two electrical power cables transporting power to the platform

摘要

A high altitude platform 4, for providing information services at altitude, is tethered 2 to a ground level location, preferably a ship 1, wherein the tether comprises at least two electrical power cables 88 operable to transport electrical power from the ground to the platform 4. The tether may be coated in a hydrophobic material. The platform 4 may be supported by a balloon 3. The tether includes strengthening cables 10 within a skin 18. The tether also includes a tail 12 with a fin 14 connected to it by a ring or actuator. The platform may host a variety of information services such as internal antennas, wireless communications, television transmission, GPS links, aircraft warning systems, radar reflectors and lights. The tether may have a non-circular cross-section. The platform may be contained within a shroud to which it is non-rigidly connected.