DEVELOPMENT SCHEDULE
Events 2006 - 2007
- First launch of a balloon with a sensor to an altitude of 30kms
- Second launch of an X-Station™ prototype model with a payload plane (without payload)
- Third launch of a small scale X-Station™ (12m blimp) to validate the ascent and controlled expansion processes
2008
- Fourth launch of a small scale X-Station™ (30m blimp) to further validate technology, including thermal control, flight termination procedures and a safe parachute descent
- First motorised geostationary flight test to validate the automatic navigation and guidance system
- Further flight tests into the stratosphere to complete development of X-Station subsystems
- X-Station™ prototype flight test with WiMax and optical free space technology at the “Zeppelin 100-Years” celebration in Germany
2009
- First test of complete prototype
2010
- First commercial "X-Station 100" ready for the market