Introduction

The National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) in Bengaluru, India, recently conducted the inaugural test flight of a solar-powered High-Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS) vehicle, marking a significant stride in indigenous HAPS technology.
India now joins a select group of nations, including China, South Korea, and the UK, pioneering the development of HAPS for diverse applications.

Test Flight Details of India’s HAPS

Prototype Description: NAL’s test featured a small-scale HAPS weighing 23 kilograms, boasting a wingspan of 12 meters.
Location: Engineers conducted the successful trial at the Challakere testing facilities in Karnataka state, soaring to an altitude of approximately 3 kilometers and sustaining flight for 8.5 hours.
Progress: Despite its scaled-down size, the prototype’s performance exceeded expectations, paving the way for future full-scale models.

Definition: HAPS represents a class of solar-powered unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that operate autonomously in the stratosphere.
Features: These aircraft incorporate solar cells and batteries, enabling extended flights resembling satellite persistence without the need for costly rocket launches.

Altitude and Endurance: HAPS can autonomously operate at altitudes of 18-20 kilometers for months or even years, offering persistent aerial monitoring and surveillance capabilities.
Strategic Uses: These platforms hold potential for applications such as border surveillance, disaster response, and communication network restoration.

Milestone Objectives: NAL aims to achieve continuous flight for 24 hours in upcoming trials, further validating the aircraft’s energy storage and solar recharging capabilities.
Operational Deployment: India anticipates deploying refined HAPS technology for practical defense by 2027 purposes, particularly in border monitoring.

Cost benefits: HAPS operate closer to Earth than satellites and do not require expensive rocket launches for deployment.
Flight Duration: Advanced HAPS can remain airborne for months or years with solar cell-powered battery recharging.
Advantages: HAPS offer advantages over traditional satellites, including lower deployment costs, modular payloads, and increased flexibility in targeting and redirection.
Obstacles: Challenges include navigating minimal stratospheric flight regulations and addressing unpredictable weather conditions at high altitudes.