New Solar-Powered Airship Stays Airborne For 12 Days At 52,000-ft Altitude In Test

25 Apr 2026 | Abstracted from Interesting Engineering

Based in New Mexico, Sceye's SE2 stratospheric autonomous airship uses solar cells across its upper surface to power flight and charge 425‑Wh/kg lithium‑sulfur batteries. These batteries drive an electric tail‑mounted propeller, enabling continuous propulsion through day–night cycles. In a recent test, the system kept SE2 aloft for 12 days at 52,000 ft, proving long‑endurance, fully solar‑electric flight.

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