Kitemill is pleased to announce the successful completion of 32 parameterization flights—also known as system identification flights — conducted during Week 50 of 2024 and Week 02 of 2025. These tests represent a significant step forward in validating our aerodynamic models and refining the core technology behind Kitemill’s airborne wind energy solutions.
Gathering Critical Flight Data
Each flight was fully automated, starting with the kite following a preprogrammed path where guided by the onboard VTOL system. Once in position, the VTOL system was switched off, allowing the kite to operate as a glider aircraft. Simultaneously, the kite’s control surfaces were actuated in precise, preplanned maneuvers. These carefully orchestrated steps enabled our team to capture valuable flight data that will serve to update our simulation tools and improve aerodynamic accuracy.
“The main objective was to identify the system parameters of the kite in order to verify the CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) work done previously,”
says Software Engineer, Tallak Tveide.
New Custom-Made Automation for Data Collection
Safety and risk mitigation are paramount at Kitemill. All free-flight tests were conducted within a designated flight volume to prevent any possibility of the kite approaching buildings or roads, even in the event of an unforeseen issue. If the kite reached the perimeter of this flight volume, the onboard software automatically rerouted it, ensuring optimal and safe flight paths.
Refining Aerodynamic Models
Data collected during these 38 flights is now undergoing rigorous analysis. The insights gained from these parameterization tests will inform updates to Kitemill’s proprietary simulation tools and CFD models, driving improvements across our entire development process. This level of refinement is critical for delivering a robust, efficient, and scalable airborne wind energy technology.
“The data collected through these tests will improve our toolchain by enabling more efficient development cycles and automating additional scenarios at KM1, while also ensuring more accurate models as we continue scaling up to larger systems,” says Head of Research and Development at Kitemill, Dr. Espen Oland.
Next Steps
With these successful flights, Kitemill solidifies its commitment to accelerating the commercialization of kite-based renewable energy systems. The refined models will feed into upcoming design reviews, ensuring that each iteration of our kite technology is safer, more reliable, and increasingly efficient.
