This paper summarizes the research hotspots of near space science and technology in 2020. China, Japan and FranceUS joint team made some progress in near space experimental exploration and scientific understanding. Near space low dynamic aircraft and its application technology also made remarkable achievements. Softbank's "sunglider" and South Korea's eav-3 injected new vitality into the development of solar powered UAVs. Google's project Loon created a new record of controllable staying area, flight duration and commercial application customers. The HAPS alliance established by more than 10 tycoons in the aviation and telecommunication fields helped to promote the healthy development of near space long endurance platform. In terms of near space high dynamic aircraft and its application technology, the commercial travel of suborbital vehicle was delayed again, and Russia basically formed hypersonic strike capability with land, sea and air-based diversified launches and long, medium and short-range multiple models.

near space  /  scientific exploration  /  lighter-than-air vehicle  /  solar UAV  /  suborbital vehicle  /  hypersonic vehicleg