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In late November 2025, Uavos Inc. (Dover, Del., U.S.) announced the successfully completed test flight of Mira Aerospace’s (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates) high-altitude pseudo-satellite (HAPS) aircraft ApusNeo 18, with Uavos providing full engineering and technical support. Mira Aerospace is a joint venture between Bayanat — part of Abu Dhabi‑based G42, an AI company — and Uavos (learn more about the composites-intensive platform below).
One of the key objectives of the flight was to evaluate the jointly developed optoelectronic, gyro-stabilized aircraft payload onboard device (POD) by obtaining imagery from altitudes ranging between 3,000 and 12,000 meters. During the mission, the POD captured high-resolution imagery with precise geolocation data from an altitude of 12,000 meters, achieving a ground sample distance (GSD) of up to 2 meters. The test took place in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and lasted continuously for 48 hours.
The optoelectronic gyro-stabilized aircraft POD is equipped with an automatic temperature control system for heating and cooling electronic modules, ensuring reliable operation in the stratosphere at temperatures as low as -70°C under rarefied air conditions. The system also provides radio communication at distances exceeding 100 kilometers. The gimbal’s optical unit allows observation within a ±90° range with high-precision angular positioning. The payload housing features an aerodynamically optimized design, and the total payload weight is 3.6 kilograms.
The optoelectronic system integrates a GSTiR thermal camera and a Phase One 150-megapixel camera, specifically designed for aerial imaging and capable of delivering distortion-free image transmission, an essential advantage for mapping and cartographic applications.
To extend the HAPS operational range, the test flight also incorporated a data-relay network based on ground modem repeaters. Each repeater is capable of providing a coverage area of up to 200 kilometers. Aliaksei Stratsilatau, founder and CEO of Uavos, says that the data-relay station trials were conducted in preparation for upcoming commercial flights in Europe, planned for the coming months.
The HAPS ApusNeo project
Modern aerospace projects require advanced composite solutions. The success behind the 18-meter-wingspan platform developed under Mira Aerospace’s HAPS program focused on material selection, advanced manufacturing methods and optimized production processes, all of which resulted in the delivery of high strength at minimal weight, high reliability and enabled cost‑efficient production.
Key project objectives included:
Identifying and implementing composite technologies that meet strength, stiffness and weight requirements.
Ensuring product reproducibility and quality at every stage of the production cycle.
Deployment of advanced technologies and equipment to reduce development cycles and production costs.
Ensuring the safety and reliability of finished parts under operational conditions.
ApusNeo’s key components incorporate high modulus carbon fiber to provide necessary strength with minimal weight; low-density PMI core sandwich structures with high mechanical properties and thermal stability; and prepreg composite materials with low binder content, varying in density and stiffness, developed specifically for the project’s requirements by its supplier partners.
Composite components were autoclave molded — using carbon fiber prepreg tooling — at temperatures between 120-180°C at pressures between 5-8 bar. These conditions ensure the required composite structure with the required strength characteristics and interlayer adhesion.
