Aerospace company Sceye has reached a significant milestone in its quest to revolutionise high-altitude operations, successfully completing a full diurnal flight in the stratosphere. The test flight, which lasted from 7:36 AM MST on August 15th to 12:21 PM MST the following day, marks a crucial step towards enabling long-duration flights powered by solar energy and battery storage.
Launched from the company’s facility in New Mexico, the High-Altitude Platform System (HAPS) managed to remain aloft over a designated area of operation throughout the flight. This achievement demonstrates the platform’s capability to utilise solar power during daylight and rely on battery reserves for overnight flight, recharged by sunlight the following morning.
“This flight represents a major breakthrough for Sceye, opening up new possibilities for stratospheric infrastructure,” said Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen, CEO and Founder of Sceye. The ability to stay aloft for extended periods offers a strategic vantage point for real-time detection of climate-related disasters such as wildfires and methane leaks, as well as providing connectivity in areas that traditional infrastructure cannot reach.
The flight was part of Sceye’s 2024 test programme and fulfilled several key objectives, including demonstrating continuous flight, controlled relocation, and persistent coverage over an operational area. These accomplishments pave the way for the commercial deployment of the HAPS platform.
Stephanie Luongo, Chief of Mission Operations at Sceye, commented, “This test has proven the performance and resilience of our platform. We are eager to scale up our capabilities with each successive flight.”
To date, Sceye has conducted twenty test flights, with two more planned for 2024. These upcoming tests will further refine the platform in preparation for commercial use.
The flight’s advanced payload suite included stereo-optical cameras for creating detailed elevation models to assess and manage natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes. Additionally, infrared cameras were used to detect wildfires and methane leaks, both of which are significant contributors to global warming. The suite also featured synthetic aperture radar, which enables the platform to see through clouds and monitor crucial environmental systems regardless of weather conditions or time of day.