GlobeTel Communications Corp. (AMEX: GTE) has through its subsidiary, Sanswire Networks LLC,
signed a letter of intent with the Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Wuerttemberg (ZSW) . The letter indicates
that ZSW will provide R&D for the development of a solar electric propulsion system for Sanswire’s Stratellite airship.
The cooperative R&D agreement involves ZSW’s thin-film solar technology, "ZSW, with its long-ranging experience
in thin-film solar cell and energy-storage technology, is very pleased to cooperate with Sanswire in the development of the
energy system for high-altitude airships," said Dr. Dirk Herrmann at ZSW’s Photovoltaic Materials Research Division.
The Stratellite is planned for deployment about 10 to 13 miles above the earth. The Stratellite,
like a satellite, is planned to expand the ability for telecommunications systems to provide wide area and rural coverage
– effectively giving line of site communications for cellular and HDTV transmissions.
The Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Wuerttemberg, or ZSD, is based in Germany
with a staff of about 120. The firm focuses its research efforts in solar energy and hydrogen technology and serves as a technology
transfer mechanism with access to academic research.
