Solar-powered flight takes off in New Zealand – Image: KEA Aerospace
New Zealand’s Kea Aerospace has successfully completed a solar-powered flight to the stratosphere and a new hydrogen testing facility has been launched at Christchurch Airport to accelerate zero-emission aviation.
The milestone UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) flight was conducted within Kea Aerospace’s Special Use Airspace south of Banks Peninsula, flew to an altitude of over 56,000ft (17+ kilometers) and marks a significant achievement for New Zealand’s aerospace sector.
The mission commenced with the Kea Atmos Mk1b taking off from the Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre at 8:07am on Saturday, February 8th. It soared to an altitude of 56,284 feet, flew for 8 hours and 20 minutes, reached a range of 18.9 nautical miles from the take-off area (35 kilometres), covered a total flight distance of 420 kilometres and landed at 5:27pm.
Flying in the stratosphere positions the UAV above weather, high winds and other aircraft, and enables continuous flight for multiple months. The use of solar power eliminates the need for refuelling, significantly reducing the Kea Atmos’ carbon footprint. The aircraft is designed to carry payloads for earth observation, telecommunications and technology testing. A key focus is on aerial imagery applications, including environmental monitoring, maritime domain awareness, precision agriculture and disaster response.
Reaching the stratosphere with solar powered flight in New Zealand – Image: KEA Aerospace
Mark Rocket, CEO of Kea Aerospace, expressed his excitement: “This stratospheric flight puts Kea Aerospace alongside just a handful of other international companies that can achieve solar-powered flight to high altitudes. It’s not an easy enterprise to balance the aerodynamic, power and weight allowances for this type of aircraft, whilst flying in conditions of -50 degrees Celsius with only 10% of the air density we experience at sea level.”
The Kea Atmos Mk1 is a 12.5 metre wingspan aircraft, that weighs less than 40 kilograms, and is designed for dawn to dusk one-day flight missions. This year, Kea Aerospace will continue conducting stratospheric flights with Kea Atmos Mk1 aircraft, flying payloads for government and commercial customers. In 2025, Kea Aerospace will also commence the design phase for the larger Kea Atmos Mk2 aircraft, which will be engineered for multi-month endurance flights, and is in current talks with new investors.
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Christchurch-based hydrogen test facility to support decarbonisation projects in aviation and industry
Fabrum, a New Zealand company land a world leader in zero-emission transition technologies, has unveiled a hydrogen testing facility in partnership with Christchurch Airport to support the development of green hydrogen-powered technologies, primarily in aviation. The partnership will see a test site established as part of the CIAL’s Kowhai Park, renewable energy precinct.
Fabrum and Christchurch Airport are partners in a hydrogen consortium with Airbus, Fortescue Future Industries (FFI), Air New Zealand, and Hiringa Energy, which was established in 2023 to bring zero-emission aviation to life in New Zealand.
Fabrum executive chair Christopher Boyle said the test facility demonstrates the commitment and progress of Fabrum, Christchurch Airport and its hydrogen consortium partners to building a hydrogen ecosystem, with aviation as a key focus.
“We’re proud to be working with Christchurch Airport to offer a world-class facility that supports the development and testing of hydrogen solutions to support global decarbonisation efforts. Having liquid hydrogen as an aviation fuel available on-site is vital for the aviation sector, rapidly advancing towards hydrogen-fuelled operations to unlock a zero-emissions future. This collaboration with Christchurch Airport further positions Christchurch as a hub for liquid hydrogen activity.”
Christchurch Airport chief executive Justin Watson said, “This facility is another example of how Christchurch Airport is enabling innovation and collaboration to drive decarbonisation. Having already reduced our own operational emissions by 92%, we’re now focused on helping others transition to a low-emissions future. By partnering with Fabrum and global industry leaders, we’re not just supporting the transition—we’re at the cutting edge of the sector, leading the way for us to play a key role in accelerating hydrogen adoption in aviation and beyond.”
A new hydrogen testing facility has been unveiled in New Zealand to support the development of green hydrogen-powered technologies (from left: Fabrum chief executive Dr Ojas Mahapatra, Christchurch Airport chief executive Justin Watson, Fabrum executive chair Christopher Boyle) – Image: Christchurch Airport
Paving the way for a sustainable hydrogen future
Fabrum established its advanced liquid hydrogen test facility on land leased from Christchurch Airport in its 400-hectare Kowhai Park energy precinct. Fabrum’s facility enables the development of liquefiers, gas management systems, and boil-off gas management technologies.
Fabrum chief executive Dr Ojas Mahapatra says the facility provides a critical resource for companies developing liquid hydrogen systems, offering them a dedicated space to test and refine their technologies.
“We look forward to welcoming the first customers to the new facility in 2025. Fabrum is already working with aviation companies globally to develop liquid hydrogen storage systems, and our customers will be among the first to test the performance and reliability of hydrogen technologies and infrastructure. While primarily catering to Fabrum’s clients, we would also like to invite like-minded companies for joint ventures and development projects to test their technology in the facility before it is deployed in the real world.”
In 2024 Fabrum received co-funding support for the hydrogen test-site initiative through an Ārohia Trailblazer Innovation Grant from Callaghan Innovation, designed to support businesses that are benefiting the Aotearoa New Zealand innovation ecosystem and have global potential.
Boyle adds that by bringing hydrogen testing and excellence facilities to the innovation ecosystem, Fabrum will facilitate partnerships and alliances to de-risk technology and advance hydrogen projects domestically and internationally. (NAN/KEA Aerospace/Chch Airport 12-02-25)
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