The pseudo-satellite Zephyr S of the European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has set a flight altitude record for its class of drones. He climbed 23.2 thousand meters.
Pseudo-satellites are unmanned aerial vehicles that, according to their characteristics, occupy an intermediate position between conventional drones and satellites. As a rule, such devices fly at an altitude of about 20 kilometers. For example, the British pseudo-satellite PHASA-35 is capable of flying at an altitude of up to 21 thousand meters, and the promising Japanese HAWK30 was tested last year by flying at an altitude of 19.2 thousand meters.
At the drone Zephyr S wingspan is 28 meters, and its entire upper plane is covered with solar panels. It is designed for a flight lasting up to three months, but so far its record is almost 26 days. Zephyr can fly at an altitude of more than 21 thousand meters and carry up to five kilograms of payload.
On October 11, Airbus announced the completion of the Zephyr S 2021 flight test campaign in the United States, during which it set a flight altitude record among drones of its class. The pseudo-satellite rose to 23.2 thousand meters.
During the tests, Zephyr S made six flights, four at a lower altitude, where the probability of turbulence and wind gusts is higher, and two in the stratosphere. Each of the pseudo-satellite's stratospheric flights lasted about 18 days.
The purpose of the demonstration was to show that the Zephyr S is suitable for missions, including in restricted airspace and airspace with commercial air transport. In addition, the drone was tested with different types of payload. In particular, with the OPAZ system for monitoring the Earth, transmitting data in streaming mode. As a result of the campaign, the developers were convinced that the Zephyr S can maneuver in the stratosphere and hold a connection with points on the surface of the planet.
Basically, pseudo-satellites weigh little and are able to carry only very small loads, but there are exceptions. Earlier we wrote about the pseudo-satellite Skydweller Aero, which can carry up to 400 kilograms of payload. It will fly at an altitude of up to 14 thousand meters.
Vasilisa Chernyavtseva
