Case Study: Airbus achieves safe, persistent stratospheric flights with Meteomatics weather data

Made Possible by High-Quality Weather Data from Meteomatics

Airbus' Zephyr is a world‑leading, solar‑electric stratospheric UAS (HAPS) that can reach 76,145 ft and provide persistent day/night Earth observation and connectivity. Airbus faced the challenge of planning safe ascent and descent through the volatile troposphere and reliably navigating to and operating in the stratosphere, so they partnered with Meteomatics for high‑quality weather data and the MetX visualization/intelligence cockpit.

Meteomatics supplied atmospheric datasets and MetX visualisations that were easy to integrate into Airbus’ mission‑planning tools; the data proved very accurate across the full depth of the atmosphere and was verified against radiosonde and surface observations. By giving aircrew clear visual content and precise forecasts during critical ascent/descent phases, Meteomatics helped guide Zephyr safely into the stratosphere and bolstered Airbus’ ability to plan and execute persistent missions.

Airbus

Simon Ashton

Expert Meteorologist