Advanced Concepts

Aurora's roots are in the science community. For nearly two decades, the company has developed and supplied high-altitude unmanned aerial systems (UAVs) for atmospheric research and global change observations. Examples included the Perseus A, Perseus B and Theseus research aircraft.

In addition to terrestrial research, Aurora has its sights set on the stars. For example, MarsFlyer is a project to design and build a UAS that will fly on Mars. In 2002, the High Altitude Drop Demonstrator (HADD1), a half-scale prototype of the MarsFlyer aircraft, successfully deployed and flew above 100,000 feet.

Aurora is also helping NASA create an UAS capability and program at the Wallops Flight Facility to enable the routine use of UASs on the east coast for scientific research and other applications of national significance. A GoldenEye 80 UAS will be the first flight element of this project.

Meanwhile, Aurora has combined its unmatched near space experience with commmercially proven technologies to develop Orion HALL (High Altitude, Long Loiter), a liquid hydrogen fueled platform capable of flying missions approaching four days at altitudes up to 65,000 feet.

Orion HALL is designed for ultra-long endurance military surveillance missions, meteorological observations and disaster response. Infrared and electro-optical sensors will provide an unprecedented view of the ground below.