February 2017

For the European Space Agency ESA a test flight campaing with small SmartFish models called SpaceFish has been realized in collaboration with CSEM and Meteolabor.

During test flights at Esrange / Kiruna the small models have been dropped from weather balloons from altitudes up to 32km. During desent speeds close to the speed of sound have been achieved in stable flight, with no flutter at all. The maximum speed was 970km, and this with a small plane made out of EPP foam, and with a lenght of only 90cm.

The gliders got lifted with small weather balloons.

Shortly after launch

Just before release at 30mk altitude

Glider in controlled flight, flying back to Esrange

Glider making turns above Esrange for losing altitude

Closer look of Esrange with bottom camera

Glider in final just before touch down.

Successful landing after a long flight!