Uncrewed stratospheric aircraft, also known as high-altitude platforms (HAPs), offer a sustainable alternative to satellites for Earth observation and communication tasks. HAPs can be manufactured and launched more cost-effectively than their counterparts in Earth orbit, and can also be landed and reused for other missions. HAP-alpha is a collaborative project involving 16 DLR institutes and facilities, aiming to build and flight-test an uncrewed, solar-powered high-altitude platform as a technology demonstrator. The HAP-alpha platform is ultimately intended to fly in the lower stratosphere, at altitudes of approximately 20 kilometres.
High-altitude, uncrewed and solar-powered platforms are attracting increasing interest in research and industry due to their wide range of potential applications.
In contrast to aircraft and non-geostationary satellites, HAPs can be permanently stationed at almost any location. They operate autonomously, like satellites, but – unlike satellites – can take off and land, making it possible to service the system and equip it with different payloads. In addition to conventional applications such as remote sensing or in situ measurements for Earth observation, HAPs can be deployed in crisis areas or serve as nodes in communication networks.
The goal of the cross-institutional HAP-alpha project is to establish comprehensive system-level expertise in high-altitude aircraft at the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR). This knowledge will support the development, construction and operation of a fully certifiable overall system (platform, payload, ground station, operational procedures) suitable for continuous operation.
Thanks to advanced lightweight construction concepts, miniaturisation in sensor and avionics technologies, and further developments in storage systems, a wide range of applications feasible.
High-altitude, uncrewed and solar-powered platforms are attracting increasing interest in research and industry due to their wide range of potential applications.
In contrast to aircraft and non-geostationary satellites, HAPs can be permanently stationed at almost any location. They operate autonomously, like satellites, but – unlike satellites – can take off and land, making it possible to service the system and equip it with different payloads. In addition to conventional applications such as remote sensing or in situ measurements for Earth observation, HAPs can be deployed in crisis areas or serve as nodes in communication networks.
The goal of the cross-institutional HAP-alpha project is to establish comprehensive system-level expertise in high-altitude aircraft at the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR). This knowledge will support the development, construction and operation of a fully certifiable overall system (platform, payload, ground station, operational procedures) suitable for continuous operation.
Thanks to advanced lightweight construction concepts, miniaturisation in sensor and avionics technologies, and further developments in storage systems, a wide range of applications feasible.
