The sun’s rays bathe our planet with vast amounts of energy – approximately 885 million terawatt hours every year. At Airbus, we work to harvest this alternative renewable energy source to power cleaner and high-endurance stratospheric flight.
Taking unmanned aerial vehicles into the stratosphere
Today, Airbus is advancing solar cell technology to enable unmanned aerial vehicles to stay aloft in the stratosphere for extended periods – using only sunlight as energy.
Our work in solar flight is focused on:
- Developing advanced photovoltaic solar panels that are lighter, more flexible and capable of capturing more energy per m2 of surface,
- Converting captured solar energy into electrical energy to power an electric-propulsion system and other onboard equipment,
- Harnessing solar energy into a rechargeable energy storage system, thereby enabling the aircraft to fly at night with unlimited autonomy.
Our flagship programme, Zephyr, is a high-altitude pseudo-satellite that is powered exclusively by solar power.
Discover Zero Emission at Airbus
Innovation
Airbus partners with Space Compass to serve the Japanese market with mobile connectivity and earth observation solutions
Airbus HAPS Connectivity Business (Airbus HAPS) has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Space Compass Corporation of Japan (Space Compass) for a cooperation agreement to service the Japanese market with mobile connectivity and earth observation services from the Stratosphere with Airbus’ record breaking Zephyr platform.
Innovation
Airbus and Salam join forces for High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) connectivity services
Airbus´ HAPS Connectivity Business has signed a strategic partnership with Salam, a leading Saudi telecommunications and ICT company and part of the Mawarid Media & Communications Group (MMCG), to progress the development of private networks, IoT applications, disaster management solutions and other connectivity and high-altitude Earth observation services from the stratosphere to serve the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Innovation
Airbus to deliver connectivity services using its leading Zephyr High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS)
Airbus has launched a connectivity services business through the creation of a dedicated HAPS Services Business based around Zephyr, Airbus’ leading HAPS technology platform.