UAVOS has successfully flight-tested its new optoelectronic, gyro-stabilized Payload Onboard Device during a deployment on the solar-powered ApusNeo 18 high-altitude pseudo-satellite.
The successful test flight, conducted as part of a joint project with Mira Aerospace, reached an altitude of 15,000 meters to evaluate the payload’s Earth observation capabilities.
During the mission, the system captured 472 kilometers of electro-optical imagery with a ground sampling distance of 69 centimeters per pixel and infrared imagery at 480 centimeters per pixel. The steerable camera system covered a footprint of 53.9 square kilometers and maintained the ability to access any point within a 54.5 by 12.3 kilometer area at any time.
The device is designed for the specific demands of the stratosphere, weighing 3.6 kilograms and measuring 845 mm in length, 128 mm in width, and 142 mm in height. It utilizes an integrated heating and cooling system to maintain optimal operating conditions for its sensors in extreme altitudes. For data handling, the unit features an onboard computer and a 10-watt radio modem that enables high-throughput transmission to ground control stations via a foldable, servo-driven antenna.
Operational flexibility is further supported by a mechanical design that allows for video and photo acquisition with roll stabilization of up to plus or minus 50 degrees. This stability ensures high-quality imaging performance even during complex flight maneuvers.
Aliaksei Stratsilatau, Founder and CEO of UAVOS, commented, “The Payload Onboard Device (POD) has already been successfully tested for wildfire monitoring in Spain. When integrated with the HAPS ApusNeo 18, which is capable of surveying hundreds of kilometres in a single flight, the system delivers a comprehensive situational picture, improving operational efficiency, reducing costs, and increasing overall mission effectiveness.”
By integrating this payload with the long-endurance ApusNeo 18, the system significantly enhances the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities available for high-altitude platforms.
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