Kenya to Lead First Test of Britain’s Near-Space Glider, Zephyr

Key Highlights

• Kenya will be the first country to test the near-space glider, Zephyr, in the Rift Valley.
• Zephyr will be mass-produced and sold for USD 5 million (KSH 647 million) each.

Kenya will be the first country to test the near-space glider, Zephyr, a solar-powered device designed for military surveillance. The test will take place in Kenya’s Rift Valley, offering a cost-effective alternative to Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Starlink programmes.

In June 2024, Aalto, a subsidiary of Airbus Aerospace, which raised a sum of USD 100 million to develop stratospheric pseudo satellites conducted its initial Zephyr test flight in the United States but planned to begin experimental missions from its first AALTO Port in Kenya later in 2024.

“If the project is a success, the aircraft would be ready to fulfil missions providing telecommunications or military surveillance,” reports indicated. 

Furthermore, once they complete stratospheric testing of the Zephyr pseudo-satellite, they will mass-produce and sell it for USD 5 million (KSH 647 million) each. Testing in Kenya is a significant achievement for Britain, as this solar-powered high-altitude platform has been in development for 20 years. In addition, in terms of environmental concerns, the test poses no danger to Rift Valley residents or wildlife due to the craft’s small and light design—its wingspan matches an A380 Superjumbo, but it weighs less than an average British adult, depending on payload.

They chose Kenya for testing due to its favorable weather conditions, geographic location, and history of hosting similar high-altitude platform stations (HAPS). The engineers noted that while the concept is old, advancements in technology have made it feasible. In addition, plans for Zephyr include expanding its uses beyond military surveillance to precision agriculture and forest fire management.