SZ-155 STRATOSPHERIC AIRSHIP

The SZ-155 STRATOSPHERIC AIRSHIP is a high-altitude, solar-powered platform designed for persistent stratospheric operations with applications to fields like communications, Earth observation, and wildfire detection. It was developed by Stratoship, an Australian aerospace startup founded in 2020 by Daniel Field. The design is based on the experience gained in the development of a high-altitude balloon called "The Pebble" flown in 2021.

In the image at left we can see the only known image of the fully-inflated airship during an indoor test.

Although Stratoship does not disclose full technical specifications such as length, volume, or material specifics in its public updates, what we know is that the SZ-155 is the first fully sovereign-designed and built HAPS prototype, sized to carry multiple payload types to ~20�km altitude. The platform features a solar-powered envelope (likely multi-layered composite) with an internal structure optimized for high-altitude pressure stability and gas-tight integrity to minimize helium leakage.

Propulsion is achieved via electric motors and propellers.

Balloon launched on: 12/1/2024 at 23:00 AEST
Launch site: Queensland, Australia  
Balloon launched by: Stratoship
Balloon manufacturer/size/composition: Stratospheric Airship  
End of flight (L for landing time, W for last contact, otherwise termination time): 12/1/2024
Balloon flight duration (F: time at float only, otherwise total flight time in d:days / h:hours or m:minutes - ): 1 h
Landing site: In a grass field near the launch site, Queensland, Australia

This was the second test flight of the SZ-155 high-altitude airship. It was launched from outside the Corfield Racecourse, in the Shire of Winton in north-western Queensland, Australia on the night of 1 December 2024, launching shortly after 23:00 AEST. After a flawless ascent, the flight ended prematurely while the airship was transiting the 13,000 feet mark due to the spurious activation of an automatic flight termination system, which was later attributed to a misconfiguration in one geofence controller. The airship landed gently in a grassy field. The primary objective of testing propulsion and control above 60,000 feet was not achieved. Despite this, the flight marked progress, with significant improvements in setup, launch, and operations compared to the first flight.

• Stratoship Website