24-foot inflatable drone targets 10-hour flights

A French aerospace startup is developing a 24-foot inflatable drone that can reportedly stay airborne for more than 10 hours and travel approximately 500 miles in one direction. Celeste Ecoflyers has completed early flight testing of the aircraft, called the daS10.

The drone uses a pressurized textile envelope and an 8-meter pneumatic wing. Internal air pressure keeps the wing rigid in flight, allowing it to generate lift without the structural weight of a conventional aircraft. When deflated, the company says the aircraft can fit inside a normal car with its seats folded.

Long-endurance missions and compact transport

Celeste Ecoflyers is targeting the daS10 at missions including:

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• Pipeline and infrastructure inspection
• Disaster-zone surveying
• Surveillance and remote logistics

The design is intended to reduce energy demands and provide persistent aerial coverage. For comparison, consumer drones such as the DJI Mavic 4 Pro can remain airborne for around 50 minutes before needing a recharge—potentially too little for monitoring pipelines, remote infrastructure or large disaster-affected areas.

The inflatable structure could also reduce transport requirements by eliminating the need for a dedicated trailer or specialised ground equipment. Operators would inflate the drone before preparing it for flight, which may suit remote locations with limited storage and difficult ground access.

Celeste Ecoflyers has not disclosed every operational specification needed to independently assess the aircraft’s capabilities. Its real-world performance will depend on further testing, payload capacity, weather tolerance and the durability of the textile structure.

Source: Celeste Ecoflyers and Yanko Design.