Hosted Payload Development Program
Stratoship is currently accepting partners for our August and November Hosted Payload Program flights.
R&D partners share the cost of the test flights with Stratoship, making it an accessible option for universities, early stage companies, and R&D programs.
Contact us to get your payload on board for our next flight.
Are you looking to test your technology in the stratosphere?
Stratoship is performing R&D flights of our high-altitude airship throughout 2026 and 2027. We welcome partners who want to test their payload or new application with us on these flights. Our stratospheric flights serve as a real-world validation environment between ground testing and deployment that offers benefits including:
A space-like environment for testing. It's the closest you'll get to space, without going to space.
Flights planned at frequent intervals, so you can rapidly iterate and re-test any payload.
Unlike a space flight, you get your payload back at the end of the flight.
More time in the stratosphere per flight compared to a balloon, and we have a propulsion system for manoeuvring and positioning.
Rideshare on the Stratoship can be used for proof of concept validation, payload testing or research, and is ideal for any organisation looking to develop persistent or localised capabilities from the stratosphere or test a hosted payload in a near-space environment.
We’re making the process as straightforward as we can:
Tell us a bit about your payload using the form below. Let us know if you need us to sign an NDA.
We follow up with a call to get some further details from you and discuss any specific needs you have.
We provide you with an estimate and indicative timing.
You send your payload to our main office, or join us on site for integration.
We fly your payload on the Stratoship in central Queensland, Australia. You’re also welcome to attend the flight.
Frequently Asked Questions
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We’re conducting a flight campaign for our prototype high-altitude airship through 2026. We are primarily testing the Stratoship’s propulsion and control system and persistence in the stratosphere.
We have spare payload capacity on most of our 2026 flights. We welcome anyone who wants to test their technology in the stratosphere to join us on a cost sharing basis.
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We’re open to payloads of all kinds, including cameras, sensors, communications devices, research, school and art projects.
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We’re aiming for the stratosphere, above 60,000 feet (18.3 kilometres). These are experimental flights, and we will be changing aspects of each flight, including the altitude. Please contact us if you have any specific altitude requirements.
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The first few flights are expected to last around 4 to 6 hours from launch to landing, including around 2 to 4 hours in the stratosphere. We’re planning to progress to longer-duration test flights of up to 7 days later in the year.
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We launch from a location North of Winton in central Queensland. The region consists of agricultural grassland, used mostly for cattle and sheep farming and is suitable for a variety of tests.
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We’re able to fly in the daytime or overnight. Our first couple of flights in 2026 will launch when the conditions are right, meaning they could happen at any time. Later in the test flight campaign, we’ll be able to plan specific daytime, nighttime and multi-day flights. If your payload has a specific time of day requirement, let us know and we’ll accommodate you.
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Success in the 2026 flights will open the door for us to fly in more locations and to conduct more targeted flight profiles. If you have a specific location requirement, please contact us. We offer other services which may suit your needs, and will work with you to find the best path forward.
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R&D partners share the cost of the test flights with Stratoship.
The exact cost will depend on your payload’s weight, size, integration complexity, and requirements. Rideshare can be an accessible way to test your technology in the stratosphere.
Contact Us -
Stratoship Hosted Payload Development
