The near space is mysterious and fascinating and its resources are far from being effectively utilized. The near space vehicle is an inevitable tool for understanding and utilizing the near space. Looking back on the near space craft hotspots in 2018, we review in this paper the strategic priority research program "Near space science experiment system" (referred to as HongHu project) launched by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Google's Project Loon which aimed at stratospheric balloon networking to complete 7 goals relay of 1000 km with the longest single-hop transmission distance of 600km, and the new record of high-altitude during time created by Zephyr S drone. We also summarize those hot spots such as hypersonic vehicles, gliding missiles, aerated cruisers, Virgin Galactic Space Ship Ⅱ, and Blue Origin's New Shepard. With the exploration and cognition, combat and defense, migration and sharing, the near space will certainly become a more colorful stage.

stratospheric vehicle  /  stratospheric long-endurance UAV  /  hypersonic vehicle  /  supersonic suborbital vehicle