Zephyr: Remembering the Solar Plane’s Historic Record Flight

The Airbus Zephyr, a solar-powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), has significantly advanced since its early iterations, setting multiple endurance records for unmanned flight. As a bonus it can function as a high-altitude “cell tower,” providing mobile phone coverage to remote areas. Potential to connect underserved populations globally.

Evolution and Records

The Zephyr series has progressed through several versions, each improving upon its predecessor:

Zephyr 6: In July 2008, it flew for 82 hours and 37 minutes at the US military’s Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, setting an unofficial record[1][4].

Zephyr 7: On July 23, 2010, it achieved an FAI-sanctioned duration record with a flight lasting 336 hours, 22 minutes, and 8 seconds, reaching an altitude of 21,562 meters[1].

Zephyr 8/S: The latest model set a new record in summer 2018 with a maiden flight lasting 25 days, 23 hours, and 57 minutes[1].

Recent Achievements

The Zephyr S embarked on its most ambitious flight on June 15, 2022, venturing into international airspace and over water for the first time. This flight lasted an impressive 64 days before the aircraft was lost over the Arizona desert on August 19, 2022[1][2].

Technology and Capabilities

The Zephyr 8/S boasts significant improvements:

– Weighs 60 kg with a 25-meter wingspan
– Can reach altitudes of 23,200 meters
– Carries a 5 kg payload
– Powered by solar cells that recharge batteries for night flight
– Potential endurance of 200-300 days[1]

Applications

The Zephyr’s potential uses include:

– Mobile phone coverage (one Zephyr can replace 250 cell phone towers)
– Environmental monitoring
– Military reconnaissance
– Persistent surveillance over areas of interest
– Communications relay
– Emergency 4G/5G following natural disasters[1]

Future Plans

Airbus aims to launch operations with around 18 aircraft by the end of 2024. By 2034, they envision a constellation of 1,000 aircraft that could provide coverage for 2.9 billion people[1].

Read More
^{[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbus_Zephyr
[2] https://www.aerosociety.com/news/zephyr-down-but-definitely-not-out/
[3] https://www.airbus.com/en/products-services/defence/uas/uas-solutions/zephyr
[4] http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7577493.stm
[5] https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-10664362
[6] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYxopJHBwug
[7] https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/176304/Solar-plane-makes-record-flight
[8] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UcMoHXobKM}