Breaking - US confirms #Zephyr solar-powered drone lost over Arizona. Statement: "Following 64 days of stratospheric flight and the completion of numerous mission objectives, Zephyr experienced circumstances that ended its current flight" #avgeek #ZephyrWatch
Conversation
Replying to
No. Hacienda was 64 days, 22hrs and it needed to have successfully landed to claim the record.
1
4
Show replies
In other statistics: 1 take off, 0 landings. Watchkeeper has a new rival.
4
15
"Zephyr experienced circumstances that ended its current flight."
Media relations hall of effing fame for that one.
1
9
Show replies
Back in the day... about 15 years ago, a Zephyr 6 (if I remember correctly) had a battery thermal runaway and fire at altitude. An outer wing panel burnt off, but the rest of the aircraft landed safely, and was rebuilt relatively quickly. System life is based on battery life.
1
1
5
