A New Way to See and Protect the Planet
Each Earth Day asks us to reflect on how we care for and protect the planet. At Sceye, we believe this begins with the ability to see what’s happening in real time.
Environmental risks are increasingly dynamic. Wildfires escalate within hours. Methane escapes unchecked into the atmosphere. Storm systems intensify faster than traditional models once predicted. Yet much of Earth observation still relies on intermittent coverage that captures conditions at specific moments or locations. These tools are essential, but they provide snapshots, not continuity.
Persistent observation offers a different approach. Continuous presence over an area of operation allows conditions to be monitored as they evolve, supporting earlier detection, faster response, and stronger coordination.
Sceye develops High-Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS) that operate up to 65,000 feet above Earth. From this altitude, HAPS can maintain position over a fixed area, creating a stable layer of infrastructure that lives between terrestrial networks and satellites. In 2024, Sceye became the first company to complete a full diurnal cycle, maintaining both altitude and location in the stratosphere through a day-night cycle, powered solely by renewable energy. This means our platforms can operate like geostationary satellites, only 1,800 times closer to Earth and at a fraction of the cost. Unlike drones, we stay up and unlike satellites, we stay in one place.
In April 2026, Sceye completed a historic 12-day, 6,400 mile HAPS flight from New Mexico to the coast of Brazil where we selected several locations to maintain position and altitude, clocking over 88 hours proving this capability. This persistent vantage point enables a range of Earth observation and protection applications.
In wildfire-prone regions, continuous monitoring from the stratosphere enables earlier detection and more effective management of fire activity at scale. Equipped with high-precision infrared cameras, radar, and other optical and communication equipment, a single stratospheric platform can maintain coverage over hundreds of miles, detecting fire ignitions within minutes of starting and tracking fire progression in real time. This wide-area, persistent view helps guide emergency teams to prevent escalation and widespread destruction and supports faster, more coordinated response while keeping ground personnel out of harm’s way.
Methane emissions are a major driver of climate change. However, 70% of methane pollution comes from small, scattered sources emitting less than 100 kg/hr – levels too low for satellites, planes, or drones to consistently detect. In alignment with the New Mexico Environment Department and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency goals, Sceye conducted the world’s first real-time methane detection from the stratosphere, identifying specific emitters and quantifying the rate of emissions all in real time. These flights demonstrated the ability to detect both super-emitters and smaller leaks that often go unmeasured, providing faster response, improved regulatory oversight, and accountability for climate pollution.
During severe weather events, like tsunamis and earthquakes, uninterrupted observation allows emergency crews to track storm development, anticipate impact zones, and assess damage as conditions evolve. Persistent aerial coverage can support flood mapping and recovery planning in the critical hours following impact, when timely information is most valuable. At the same time, HAPS can help restore connectivity when terrestrial networks are compromised, enabling communication for first responders, coordinating relief efforts, and helping affected communities stay connected and safe.
As climate risks intensify, the ability to follow events as they unfold and support action in real time becomes increasingly important. By unlocking the stratosphere as a new layer of infrastructure, Sceye is expanding what is possible to uplift and protect our planet.
