Airbus Zephyr Crashed After 64 Days of Flight—Solar Powered Drone Failed to Break Records

Isaiah Richard, Tech Times 22 August 2022, 10:08 pm

Airbus Zephyr did not achieve its goals of breaking a world record for the longest flight made by an aircraft, and the solar-powered drone crashed in Arizona after 64 days of sustained flight. The goal is to break the record for this already remarkable aircraft that brings clean energy for all and a new focus on removing carbon emissions for the aviation industry.

Airbus Zephyr: 64 Days Non-Stop Flights Before Crashing in Arizona

(Photo : Airbus)

Simple Flying reported that Airbus' Zephyr aircraft that draws power from the Sun and has sustained a massive 64 days of non-stop flight already crashed in Arizona last August 19. The plane is a company project famous for manufacturing commercial aircraft that most airlines use for overseas and domestic transport.

Zephyr is an "Unmanned Aerial Service" (UAS) that the company designed to gather energy from the Sun and use it for sustaining its needs to power on flights it would take. The company launched it to test its systems more than two months ago, but it saw a systems failure that caused it to crash in the Arizona desert after its S-shaped maneuver for its testing.

Airbus Zephyr Did Not Break the Longest Flight Record

The Airbus Zephyr failed to beat the record of the longest flight in the world, focusing on the Cessna 172 Skyhawk that flew for 64 days and 22 hours before eventually landing. To date, it remains the longest flight in the world, but it had a crew inside the aircraft, unlike the Zephyr, which remains and acts like a drone.

Nevertheless, the Zephyr is a promising aircraft that can fly to great heights and gain power from an alternative, natural resource.

Drone Technology in the World Now

Drones are a massive focus in different industries now, as it aims to help in providing a chance for logistics companies to deliver in short distances like the one from Walmart. The future will see uncrewed systems and services in place for them, and drones are one to bring the feature for all, among other automated systems available.

However, its purpose and features do not stop there as it would also be applicable for surveillance like what the police are planning for it, focusing on a fleet to arrive soon. It aims to substitute the need for on-foot reconnaissance activities and gather intelligence for investigation needs, which would help avoid any risks and dangers for officers.

From its initial purpose of helping cinematography and videographers get aerial shots cheaper than going in helicopters or planes, drones evolved with more purpose and were used for their technology.

Now, there is a drone that aims to sustain its flight using only solar power from the natural resource that shines daily for the world. The Airbus Zephyr's story is not yet done here, as it will continue to develop and bring a sustainable uncrewed aircraft that may be used for different ventures without drawing much carbon emissions.

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Written by Isaiah Richard