Stratospheric Airship Technologies

[blimpship]

I've been reading a couple of reports (mainly from SE Asia) regarding Stratospheric Airship Technologies and a $500m investment in a former FedEx facility in the Phillipines.

The company plans to build the largest single span building in Asia to produce solar powered airships for communications and broadband traffic. I've posted some of the details and a link to the original source at airship times.

My reasons for posting this to the forum?

SAT have been mentioned as being either UK or Malaysian based and I can't seem to find a website for them or any details on their existing work. The only other detail I have is the directors name : Bryn Lloyd Williams.

The report suggest that by 2011/2012 there will be a production line producing 18 airships per year, from a projected market of 70 units - that seems like a big deal to me!

Does anyone have any information, links etc. that might help me find out a little more?

[TURTLEAIRSHIPS]

  StratSat is apparently the latest incarnation/scheme related to ATG (Advanced Technologies Group); which is parent  of the SkyCat design.   It may be inteded to launch this type of airship in a vertical mode, allowing it to transfer to horizontal when it reaches altitude.  The envelope is supposed to be able to endure 5 years at altitude (>20,000 meters) before being recalled for servicing.

Does current materials technology support this effort?   Ample evidence over the last several years says "no".  My own take is that the $500 Million pledged toward this, will likely end up as did the $300 Million raised by CargoLifter.