The U.S. Air Force Space Command Space and Missile Systems Center's Development and Test Wing, at the Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico, has awarded a $49 million contract to Space Data Corporation to provide a near-space communications system. "Near space" is defined as 65,000 to 135,000 feet above the earth — higher than airplanes fly, but lower than orbiting satellites.

The Space Data system employs a balloon-borne platform that takes advantage of the predictable winds in near space to position communications equipment 20 miles above the earth. The GPS-equipped platforms can be launched from the back of a Humvee and once at altitude provide excellent communications over thousands of square miles.

Under previous Space Command contracts, the Air Force Space Battlelab carried out extensive testing of Space Data's system. The Battlelab tests included using the same tactical radios carried by troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The results showed that ground-to-ground voice and data communications could be extended from 10 miles to more than 400 miles using Space Data's balloon-borne payloads.

A commercial version of the company's technology called a SkySite platform has provided digital communications service to the energy industry for more than two years. The SkySite system operates over the South-central and Southwestern United States and enables energy firms to monitor and control equipment, remotely. At 20 miles above the earth, the Space Data technology is well above weather systems. It provided uninterrupted service throughout last year's hurricane season, including Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. For this reason, public safety agencies and emergency management officials are also evaluating the advantages of near-space communications for domestic uses.