Altair is a high-altitude long-endurance UAS, able to reach altitudes of 13-15 kilometers and stay aloft for more than 20 hours carrying a payload of at least 300 kilograms. Altair UAS technology combines an autonomous aircraft, redundant control systems, high-speed satellite and radio communication, and ground-based pilots and sensor operators. From April to November 2005, NOAA and NASA successfully completed a series of high-altitude, long-endurance Altair UAS flights off the coast of California and Oregon.