Kea Aerospace
The company operates the Kea Atmos, a High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) and High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) aircraft.
The organisation is based in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Kea Aerospace provides high-resolution aerial imagery for applications such as environmental monitoring and disaster management.
- Type
- ManufacturerEditorial
- Capabilities
- Location
- Christchurch, Canterbury (South Island)
- Sectors served
- Research and education
- Founded
- 2018
- Website
- www.keaaerospace.com
- Careers
- www.keaaerospace.com/jobs
- Last checked
- 28 October 2026
Products and programmes
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Kea Atmos
“Our solar-powered Kea Atmos operate as a High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) and High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) aircraft.”
Source: keaaerospace.com -
X1
“On Sunday 19th December 2021, Kea Aerospace recorded the longest known flight for an unmanned aircraft in New Zealand, in an electric-powered flight of the “X1” aircraft above Kaitōrete, near Christchurch.”
Source: keaaerospace.com -
X10
“We flew our “X10” unmanned aircraft from the morning through the day and an entire night, then fully recharged the batteries using solar energy the next day.”
Source: keaaerospace.com
Where it works in New Zealand
- Christchurch, Canterbury
History
- 2021
“On Sunday 19th December 2021, Kea Aerospace recorded the longest known flight for an unmanned aircraft in New Zealand, in an electric-powered flight of the “X1” aircraft above Kaitōrete, near Christchurch.”
Source: keaaerospace.com
Common questions about Kea Aerospace
Where is Kea Aerospace based in New Zealand?
Christchurch, Canterbury.
What does Kea Aerospace make or run?
Its products and programmes include Kea Atmos, X1 and X10.
When was Kea Aerospace founded?
2018.
Which sectors does Kea Aerospace serve?
Research and education.
Is Kea Aerospace hiring in New Zealand?
The directory has seen 4 open roles in New Zealand in the last 14 days. See Jobs
How can I contact Kea Aerospace?
Through its website, www.keaaerospace.com.
Updates
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Kea Aerospace Stratospheric Flight Over Antarctica For Ozone Research
Kea Aerospace has secured funding to fly the Kea Atmos over Antarctica for ozone research in the next 3 to 5 years. The company will collaborate with the University of Otago to carry miniaturised instruments on stratospheric test flights.
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6,000ft Flight Completes Low Altitude Test Campaign
Kea Aerospace completed its low-altitude test campaign with a 6,000-foot flight of the Kea Atmos aircraft. The flight was the first Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flight for the Kea Atmos.
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Media Release: New Zealand Flies To The Stratosphere With NASA
Kea Aerospace has secured New Zealand government support to collaborate with NASA on a project to monitor coastal water quality using a solar-powered stratospheric plane.
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Autonomous Flight Testing
The article reports that the Kea Aerospace flight test team tested the auto pilot's 'return to home' functionality as part of fully autonomous flight operations. This testing was conducted on a day when the team was performing these specific autonomous flight operations.
Jobs
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Avionics Technician
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IT Systems Administrator
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Senior Aircraft Structural Engineer
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Senior Power Electronics Engineer
Sources
About 3 sources
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“Our solar-powered Kea Atmos operate as a High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) and High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) aircraft.”
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“Formed in Christchurch in 2018”
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“We are passionate about providing high-resolution aerial imagery at an increased frequency for applications such as environmental monitoring, precision agriculture, disaster management and maritime domain awareness.”
Capability 3 sources
- Editorial
“Kea Aerospace is currently flight-testing stratospheric aircraft in New Zealand.”
- Editorial
“We are passionate about providing high-resolution aerial imagery at an increased frequency for applications such as environmental monitoring, precision agriculture, disaster management and maritime domain awareness.”
- Editorial
“You’ll take the airframe from concept through to flight, working at the limits of lightweight design to make months-long stratospheric flight possible.”
Location 1 source
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“10 Sir William Pickering Drive Christchurch 8053”
Founded 1 source
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“Formed in Christchurch in 2018, Kea Aerospace is focused on developing outstanding aerospace technology while growing and supporting a local aerospace ecosystem.”
Product or programme 3 sources
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“Our solar-powered Kea Atmos operate as a High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) and High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) aircraft.”
-
“On Sunday 19th December 2021, Kea Aerospace recorded the longest known flight for an unmanned aircraft in New Zealand, in an electric-powered flight of the “X1” aircraft above Kaitōrete, near Christchurch.”
-
“We flew our “X10” unmanned aircraft from the morning through the day and an entire night, then fully recharged the batteries using solar energy the next day.”
Milestone 1 source
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“On Sunday 19th December 2021, Kea Aerospace recorded the longest known flight for an unmanned aircraft in New Zealand, in an electric-powered flight of the “X1” aircraft above Kaitōrete, near Christchurch.”
Sector served 1 source
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“Kea Aerospace will collaborate with Harald Schwefel and his team at the University of Otago, carrying their miniaturised instruments on stratospheric test flights over New Zealand and Antarctica over the next three to five years.”