Developed by AeroVironment, Inc., of Monrovia, California, the Helios Prototype is a remotely-piloted flying wing aircraft designed to demonstrate two objectives for NASA's Environmental Research and Sensor Technology (ERAST) Project: reaching and sustaining flight altitude of 100,000 feet and flying non-stop for at least 4 days above 50,000 feet. If successful, the aircraft will break the non-rocket altitude record of 85,068 feet set in 1966 by an SR-71 "Blackbird" spy plane. \n\nExpedition Site\n