UAS Flight Test
Extended-Duration, Real-Time
Integrated Payload Qualification
Fly an integrated multi-sensor package, mesh-radio node, or autonomy stack at 60,000–80,000 ft for 3–6 hours — with a live two-way link so you can command and reconfigure it at altitude. The persistent-ISR environment your payload will operate in, without the airframe. US-based, US-person operations.
Overview
The Integrated Flight Service (IFS) for UAS provides extended-duration qualification of integrated stratospheric payloads. Fly multi-sensor ISR packages, mesh-radio network nodes, autonomy stacks, and HAPS/HALE subsystem endurance tests at the altitude they'll actually operate in — with live two-way commanding throughout.
Why a balloon? Same altitude band, same thermal environment, same RF propagation, same atmospheric pressure as a HAPS or HALE platform — minus the airframe, the build effort, and the cost. We qualify the payload, not the aircraft. Firm-fixed pricing is $3,700/lb plus a Mission Access Fee (4 lb minimum), available as a Rideshare or a dedicated Private Mission.
Flight Test Specs
- Payload
- 4–80 lb
- Altitude
- 60,000–80,000 ft (sustained)
- Duration
- 3–6 hours
- Telemetry
- Starlink real-time + onboard logging
- Commanding
- Yes — real-time via Starlink
- Recovery
- 99%+ recovery rate
- Pricing
- $3,700/lb + Mission Access Fee
- Variants
- Rideshare, or Private Mission to 80 lb
Ideal For
Multi-sensor ISR integration testing
Mesh radio network validation
Autonomy algorithm testing at altitude
HAPS subsystem endurance qualification
What's Included
Everything in FQS, plus:
Starlink real-time telemetry throughout flight
Active payload commanding capability
Extended flight operations (3–6 hours)
Engineering report with environmental characterization
Mission Package — complete data archive (telemetry, video, photos)
Sensitive Payload handling — data segregation, access controls, customer-only commanding