Zephyr is a lightweight solar-powered UAV which was originally designed and built by the QQ1 "Edge of Space" team who were sponsored by the United Kingdom defence firm, Qinetiq.[1] It is of carbon-fibre construction, and uses sunlight to charge a lithium sulphur battery during the day, which powers the aircraft at night. The aircraft has been designed for use in observation and communications relay.[2]
The Zephyr holds the official endurance record for an unmanned aerial vehicle for its flight from 9 July to 23 July 2010, lasting 336 hours and 22 minutes (2 weeks / 14 days).[3][4] Record claims have been verified by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) for both duration and altitude, at 21,562 meters.[5] It beat the previous endurance record for unmanned flight by more than a factor of five.[6] [7]
In a 2008 demonstration for the US military, a smaller-scale version of the Zephyr performed beyond the official world record for the longest-duration unmanned flight, however its 82-hour flight at an altitude of 61,000 feet did not set an official record because FAI officials were not involved in the flight.[8]
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The vehicle can circle over a particular area for extended periods. The military uses the vehicle for reconnaissance and communications platforms. Civilian and scientific programmes use it for Earth observation. During the day, Zephyr uses its state-of-the-art solar cells spread across its wings to recharge high-power lithium-sulphur batteries and drive two propellers. At night, the energy stored in the batteries is sufficient to maintain Zephyr in the sky. The batteries are Lithium Sulphur batteries supplied by Sion.[9]
The new vehicle is bigger and takes five individuals to launch, as opposed to the three previously. The team runs gently into the wind until it lifts out of their hands.
The 53 kg[10] Zephyr will probably climb to about 40,000 ft on its first day, and then try to maintain 60,000 ft thereafter. It is likely to lose about 20,000 ft each night.
General characteristics
Performance
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