Successful stratospheric flight with one of New Zealand’s KEA Aerospace solar observation glider – Image: KEA Aerospace
KEA Aerospace in Christchurch New Zealand is seeking investment for about USD $10 million (NZD $17.5 million) funding for the development of the Kea Atmos Mk2 program. It is hoped the design and manufacturing of the new stratospheric solar glider with an increased wingspan of 30 m will be completed over the next three years, according to KEA Aerospace. Then the Kea Atmos Mk2 will be tested on long-duration observation flights in the stratosphere.
Two researchers, Joerg and Marius from the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Space Research, are currently visiting Kea Aerospace in Christchurch. This collaboration marks an exciting step forward in the partnership between New Zealand and Germany. Together, the groundwork is laid for next-generation Earth observation from the stratosphere, says KEA Aerospace in a media release.
The Kea Atmos Mk1a stratospheric glider on top of the launch vehicle, the all-new Audi A6 e-tron Avant – Image: KEA Aerospace
As part of this initiative, DLR has developed a high-performance camera system, the MACS-Kea, specifically designed to integrate seamlessly with the Kea Atmos Mk1 aircraft. These upcoming tests will demonstrate how advanced imaging technology and solar-powered flight can unlock new possibilities for environmental monitoring and scientific discovery.
Two researchers, Joerg and Marius from the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Space Research, are currently visiting Kea Aerospace in Christchurch – Image: KEA Aerospace
Antarctic Mission
Last month Kea Aerospace announced that the solar-powered Kea Atmos will fly in the stratosphere above Antarctica – marking the first time a High-Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) has ever flown there. These missions will support ozone research, one of the most critical areas of climate science. While international efforts have dramatically advanced mankind’s understanding over the last 50 years, important knowledge gaps remain. The urgency is growing as a key NASA satellite mission monitoring the Antarctic ozone hole is set to end next year — with no replacement on the horizon.
That’s why New Zealand research teams are stepping up, developing a new monitoring system using cubesats at a fraction of the cost of traditional space missions. Kea Aerospace will collaborate with Professor Harald Schwefel and his team at the University of Otago, carrying their instruments on stratospheric test flights over New Zealand and Antarctica over the next three to five years. This is a major step forward for both science and stratospheric aviation, according to KEA Aviation.
Video:
Kea Aerospace achieves a major milestone with the Kea Atmos Mk1b, soaring into the stratosphere for the first time. During our high-altitude campaign earlier in 2025, flights reached an impressive 56,000 feet (about 17 kilometres high), marking a breakthrough in its solar-powered uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAV) program. Taking off from the Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre (South Island of NZ), the aircraft flew for 8 hours and 20 minutes, demonstrating the future of sustainable high-altitude flight.
(NAN/KEA 11-11-25)
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