Phones die
Battery life, damage, water, impact, and panic all reduce reliability when it matters.
Emergency mesh communication
LiftSignal Skymarker keeps signaling when phones fail.
LiftSignal Skymarker is a quickly deployable, tethered balloon beacon — a rugged, field-ready SOS and status signaling system designed to stay aloft and operational for at least 10 days, supporting off-grid deployment, disaster preparedness, remote safety, and resilient communication using popular mesh network ecosystems.
The problem
Phones are fragile lifelines.
In real emergencies, the devices people rely on most are often the first to become unreliable. Batteries die. Cell towers go down. Internet access disappears. And when help needs a signal, silence becomes dangerous.
Networks fail
Cellular, Wi-Fi, and internet systems can become congested, damaged, or unavailable.
Signals matter
A simple visible or digital SOS signal can help teams, families, and responders understand where attention is needed.
The solution
Meet LiftSignal Skymarker.
Skymarker is a quickly deployable, tethered balloon beacon designed to lift a signaling payload into the air and stay aloft and operational for at least 10 days — broadcasting SOS and status signals across compatible mesh communication networks. Built for preparedness kits, outdoor safety, travel, event teams, remote worksites, and emergency response support.
Two configurations are in the works: a single-use rapid-deploy beacon for one-shot emergencies, and a re-deployable design built to be recovered, reset, and launched again.
Skymarker is being developed with compatibility for Meshtastic and MeshCore ecosystems, with integration and API partnership support from MESH-API.dev.
Tethered balloon beacon
Designed to stay aloft 10+ days
Quickly deployable in the field
Single-use & re-deployable designs in the works
SOS and status signaling
Meshtastic compatible architecture
MeshCore compatible architecture
MESH-API.dev integration partnership
Mesh networks
Built around the mesh networks people already use.
LiftSignal Skymarker is designed to support modern off-grid communication workflows through compatibility with Meshtastic and MeshCore, two widely used mesh networking ecosystems for decentralized communication. Through LiftSignal’s partnership with MESH-API.dev, Skymarker is being developed with flexible API integration pathways for dashboards, alerts, monitoring, and future network-aware features.
Meshtastic Compatible
Designed to work with Meshtastic-based off-grid messaging and mesh communication deployments.
MeshCore Compatible
Built with MeshCore compatibility in mind for resilient, decentralized communication workflows.
MESH-API.dev Partnership
Integration support for API-driven alerts, dashboards, and future connected features.
The hardware
Designed to stay seen, stay powered, and keep signaling.
Skymarker is being built as a practical, quickly deployable tethered balloon beacon for people and organizations that need communication options beyond cellular networks. It lifts a signaling payload aloft and is designed to stay up and operational for at least 10 days — with single-use and re-deployable configurations in development around simple signaling, long-duration operation, and mesh-aware communication.
Built for the field
Engineered to stay seen and keep signaling.
The LiftSignal Skymarker lifts a signaling payload aloft and is designed to stay visible and operational for at least 10 days in the field — a rugged, quickly deployable beacon with mesh-aware communication at its core.
Operating modes
One device. Two ways to deploy.
Skymarker is being designed to switch between an emergency signaling beacon and a piece of mesh network infrastructure — so the same hardware can call for help, or quietly extend the network other people rely on.
SOS Mode
In SOS mode, Skymarker broadcasts your location and onboard environmental data out over the LoRa mesh, covering vast distances — some tests have shown ranges of over 1,000 km in ideal conditions, with the ability to hop through the mesh several times. Anyone running a Meshtastic, MeshCore, or MESH-API base station within range can hear your call.
- Location & environmental data over LoRa mesh
- Multi-hop reach across compatible mesh networks
- Bright LED lights for visible SOS signaling
- Visual “message received” responses so you know help is on the way
Infrastructure Mode
In infrastructure mode, SOS beaconing is disabled and Skymarker can be deployed as an extension device or repeater for Meshtastic or MeshCore networks — lifting a node aloft to widen coverage and strengthen the mesh that everyone else depends on.
- Acts as a Meshtastic or MeshCore extender / repeater
- Extends range and coverage for nearby nodes
- SOS beaconing disabled for dedicated network duty
Low-power electronics with solar augmentation.
Low-power nRF and ESP32 variants are being developed with solar augmentation to keep Skymarker powered longer — with some tests showing well over two weeks of operation on a single deployment. That endurance makes it ideal for disaster conditions where traditional cell networks are knocked out. Floods and other natural disasters make Skymarker a must for any home preparedness kit.
Applications
Where Skymarker fits.
For preparedness teams, remote operators, outdoor users, event teams, and partners building the next layer of resilient communication.
Outdoor Safety
Hiking, overlanding, camping, trail groups, and remote travel.
Disaster Preparedness
Backup signaling when power, internet, or cellular networks are unavailable.
Marine & Boating
Great for boating and time on the water — a deployable beacon that can lift an SOS and your position above the waves when you’re far from shore and out of cellular range.
Aviation & Airline Life Rafts
Well suited to aviation and airline use, including stowage in life rafts — ready to launch a high, far-reaching distress signal over open water or remote terrain after a ditching or forced landing.
Events & Festivals
Support for large-site communication planning, staff coordination, and emergency visibility.
Remote Worksites
Construction, field crews, utility teams, ranches, farms, and isolated job sites.
Travel Safety
Added communication resilience for travelers, families, and groups moving through unfamiliar areas.
Emergency Response Support
A supplemental signaling layer for teams operating in difficult or degraded communication environments.
Development status
Tested technology. Open conversations. Real deployment goals.
LiftSignal Skymarker has moved beyond concept. Prototype hardware and software have been tested, mesh compatibility paths are in development, and LiftSignal is now opening conversations with investors, partners, and early deployment customers.
Prototype hardware tested
Software stack validated
Tethered balloon beacon design
Designed to stay aloft 10+ days
Meshtastic and MeshCore compatibility planned
Single-use & re-deployable designs in the works
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
LiftSignal Skymarker is a quickly deployable, tethered balloon beacon for emergency signaling and off-grid communication. It lifts a payload aloft and is designed to stay up and operational for at least 10 days, broadcasting SOS and status signals across compatible mesh network ecosystems.
Skymarker is being developed with Meshtastic compatibility in mind for off-grid mesh communication and signaling workflows.
Yes. Skymarker is also being designed around MeshCore compatibility for decentralized, resilient communication use cases.
LiftSignal is partnering with MESH-API.dev to support integration pathways for alerts, dashboards, APIs, and future mesh-aware software features.
No. Skymarker is designed as a supplemental communication and signaling layer. It should not replace official emergency devices, satellite communicators, emergency services, or local safety procedures.
LiftSignal Skymarker is in active development and testing. LiftSignal is currently accepting investor, partner, distributor, and early access inquiries.
Build the next layer of resilient communication
When phones die, Skymarker keeps signaling.
Built for off-grid communication, emergency visibility, and mesh-aware deployment — designed for Meshtastic and MeshCore compatibility, with integration support from MESH-API.dev.