Pseudo-Satellite UAS Completes Test Under Harsh Conditions

by | Sep 11, 2014

The most recent HAPS test flight allowed more than 250 hours of flight testing of the Zephyr 7 prototype, which now will be used to refine the final design of Zephyr 8, the next-generation HAPS vehicle currently being developed by Airbus.

The most recent HAPS test flight allowed more than 250 hours of flight testing of the Zephyr 7 prototype, which now will be used to refine the final design of Zephyr 8, the next-generation HAPS vehicle currently being developed by Airbus.

Airbus Defence and Space announced the Zephyr 7 High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS), a type of unmanned aircraft, recently completed its most demanding mission to date.

According to an Airbus news release, the Zephyr 7 set a new benchmark in persistent, year-round operations for this class of unmanned aircraft system (UAS). The test consisted of more than 11 days of nonstop flight in winter weather conditions with a new primary payload, including flight controlled through satellite communications.

HAPS runs exclusively on solar power, which is used during the day to charge a battery that is used to power the flight through the night, so this flight in shorter days and longer nights was significantly more demanding than any previous one.

Image courtesy of Airbus Defence and Space.

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