A Swiss aerospace company has achieved a significant milestone in stratospheric flight in the Spanish city of Teruel. The company successfully completed a full daytime flight in the stratosphere, marking a crucial step toward long-duration flights powered by renewable energy.
The flight is marked as a crucial step toward long-duration flights powered by renewable energy for the company. Sceye is specializing in high-altitude airships known as High Altitude Pseudo-Sattelites (HAPS). High-altitude pseudo satellites (also known as high-altitude platform stations) are airships, balloons, or fixed-wing drones that provide temporary connectivity to an area from the stratosphere, above commercial flights and turbulent weather patterns. This development is part of Sceye’s ambitious plans to establish its European operations at the Teruel Airport in Spain by 2025.
A major stratospheric milestone
On 15 August, Sceye’s airship took off from the company’s base at Roswell International Airport in New Mexico, USA. The airship remained in the stratosphere, powered by solar energy during daylight hours and sustained by battery power at night, before safely landing the following day. This achievement demonstrates the airship’s ability to maintain its position over an operational area for extended periods. This capability could revolutionise the use of airships for various applications.
“This is a significant achievement for the Sceye team, opening up vast opportunities in the stratosphere and creating an entirely new infrastructure between drones and satellites,” said Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen, CEO and founder of Sceye. The company plans to establish its European production and operation centre for stratospheric platforms in Teruel. Herewith, providing ultra-fast connectivity and real-time monitoring services for public and private clients.
Teruel: Spain’s first stratoport
Sceye’s ambitious project to launch Spain’s first “stratoport” in Teruel was announced in July 2022. The company expects operatoins to begin by mid-2026. To support the company’s establishment, the Teruel Airport Consortium is overseeing the construction of a hangar and a production facility. These works, recently awarded to ASCH Infraestructuras y Servicios SA for €36.5 million, are set to be completed within 20 months.
The ability to operate in the stratosphere for prolonged periods offers unique advantages, such as real-time disaster monitoring. Think of detecting forest fires and methane leaks. Furthermore, it can provide connectivity to remote areas where traditional infrastructure is lacking.
Advancing stratospheric capabilities
The recent flight achieved all key objectives of Sceye’s 2024 stratospheric test program. These include demonstrating daytime flight, controlled relocation, and sustained operation over a designated area. The successes pave the way for the company to begin commercial operations in the near future.
“The flight was a crucial demonstration of our platform’s performance and resilience. I look forward to the growth and expansion of our capabilities with each subsequent flight,” said Stephanie Luongo, Sceye’s Mission Operations Lead.
To date, Sceye has completed twenty test flights, with two additional flights planned for 2024. These ongoing tests are critical as the company prepares to bring its platform to the commercial market.
Also read: The airport in Teruel is now fourth in Spain