26/08/10 - QinetiQ has successfully landed Zephyr, its solar powered high-altitude long endurance (HALE) Unmanned Air System (UAS), after two weeks in the air and with it the va-Q-tec insulation that has protected Zephyrs' batteries during this remarkable flight.
The va-Q-tec vacuum insulation system protected Zephyrs' batteries from the high altitude temperature extremes enabling them to operate at maximum efficiency, day and night.
Compared to alternative insulation materials, va-Q-tec's panels are extremely thin and are made from ultra light materials that proved to be the perfect balance for Zephyr.
At the heart of the va-Q-tec vacuum insulation system for Zephyr is the patented technology that enables vacuum panels to be folded into 3D shapes. With this technology, va-Q-tec was able to produce an insulated housing for each of the Zephyrs' batteries and contribute to the success of the record flight.