(Airbus)
The Zephyr S pseudo-satellite of Airbus has set an altitude record for its class of drones. It climbed 23.2 thousand meters.
Pseudo-satellites are unmanned aerial vehicles that, in terms of 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 21 thousand meters.
The Zephyr S aircraft has a wingspan of 28 meters, and its entire upper plane is covered with solar panels.
It is designed to fly up to three months, but so far its record is almost 26 days.
Zephyr can fly at an altitude of over 21 thousand meters and carry up to five kilograms of payload.
On October 11, Airbus announced the completion of the 2021 Zephyr S flight test campaign in the United States, during which it set an altitude record for a drone in its class.
The pseudo-satellite has risen to 23.2 thousand meters.
During the tests, the Zephyr S made 6 flights, 4 at lower altitudes, where the likelihood of turbulence and wind gusts is higher, and 2 in the stratosphere.
Each of the stratospheric flights of the pseudo-satellite lasted about 18 days.
The purpose of the demonstration was to show that the Zephyr S is suitable for private and commercial missions.
In addition, the drone was tested with different types of payload.
Including, with the OPAZ system for Earth observation, 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 maintain a connection with points on the planet's surface.
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