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

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