Artificial Intelligence | Renewable & Sustainable | Hybridized Instinctive Power/Propulsion
Galaxy Unmanned Systems LLC (GUS) proudly announces the commencement of the Around-The-World 2029 initiative, launching on August 7ᵗʰ, 2024. This ambitious project will achieve autonomous global circumnavigation using innovative software and hardware technologies, operating solely on sunlight and water, without any human intervention or assistance.
Learn how to get involved in the A.I.R.S.H.I.P.² Initiative and follow its progress here:
"This is not a blank-slate engineering effort for us," says Jason White, GUS CEO. "We are building on years of experience while leveraging our various research contracts from AFWERX and the US Army. These competitively won, performance-based contracts focused on autonomy, communications, and Lighter-Than-Air (LTA) hybrid vehicle development. Progress on these efforts has enabled us to develop an in-house R&D team supported by lean, agile processes and strategic partnerships with stakeholders in Industry, Government, and Academia. Discoveries and refinements from DoD-funded work will integrate seamlessly into this dual-use demonstrator.” He further explained, "At heart, Galaxy is a practical applications-focused company. By challenging ourselves to achieve this first in aviation goal, we are channeling innovation into a tangible objective for the benefit of humanity. If we can make this happen, it will address questions nobody would have thought to ask about autonomy, the future of NextGen transportation, and renewable and regenerative energy processes, while unlocking numerous intangible innovations in the process."
Bioinspired Design and Advanced AI
GUS's approach to technology development is deeply rooted in bio-inspired design principles. They believe that humans are part of nature and, by studying and emulating natural processes and systems, they can create technologies that are efficient, adaptive, and harmoniously integrated with the natural world. Their core principles for incorporating bio-inspired design include creating systems that thrive on adaptation, operate in a balanced state by recycling resources and minimizing waste, and are inherently interconnected with the ecosystems they operate within.
The A.I.R.S.H.I.P.² initiative will use this method to equip the autonomous airship with the
means to survive its trek across the globe while seeking sunlight and water to fuel its
regenerative processes and power production. Drawing inspiration from the brain's fluidity and adaptability, advanced AI techniques will enable the airship to adapt in real-time, process data efficiently, and make decisions based on its environment. This approach ensures the airship can survive and thrive, communicating its intentions and needs to the world and its players, while maintaining continuous operation and integration with natural and human environments.
Honoring Aviation History
GUS seeks to reestablish the airship as a pioneering vehicle in aviation. The project pays homage to the 1929 achievements of the Graf Zeppelin, piloted by Dr. Hugo Eckener. Nearly a century ago, the Graf Zeppelin completed a groundbreaking over-water flight, which was celebrated on the front page of the San Francisco Chronicle on August 26ᵗʰ: "It was the triumphant Graf Zeppelin, the more-than-great German dirigible, ending the greatest over-water flight in the history of aviation, finishing a flight that a few years ago would have been looked upon as sheer madness." Dr. Eckener was an aviation innovator and an early adopter of crowdfunding. The 1929 flight
was underwritten by William Randolph Hearst and supported by crowdfunding from the people of Germany. Galaxy believes in this spirit of public participation and invites people to share ideas and contribute to the project.
Looking Ahead
Tony White, GUS COO and Chief Pilot, reminds us of the challenges ahead. "We have a lot of evaluation and proof-of-concept work to do to meet the Graf Zeppelin centennial flight launch date. Considering the scope of the effort, five years will pass quickly."
Sign up for email updates to stay informed about this groundbreaking project. Galaxy will
regularly publish updates and white papers detailing the development of the various technologies involved, their technical feasibility, and the challenges encountered. These updates will provide insight into the progress and hurdles faced, sharing the journey and lessons learned with the broader community.
Footnote: Tony and Jason White, the brothers behind Galaxy, were inspired by their father, Ted White, an early pioneer of remote-controlled aircraft. Ted designed, built, and flew with some of the first proportional transmitters and participated in tests using RC aircraft for Sandia National Laboratories in the 60s. Following in their father's footsteps, the White brothers made history in 2008 as the first to provide an aerial video feed using an unmanned airship on a live broadcast. They now continue their efforts to innovate in aviation with the A.I.R.S.H.I.P.² initiative.
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