In a historic achievement, DJI successfully conducted a high-altitude drone operation at Everest Base Camp in May 2024, setting a new standard for supply delivery and environmental conservation on the world’s tallest mountain. Leveraging DJI’s FlyCart 30 drone, this mission aimed to reduce the physical risks faced by Sherpas and contribute to cleaner, safer mountaineering practices. This blog explores how DJI’s innovative technology is reshaping Everest expeditions, ensuring safety, and preserving the mountain’s pristine environment.

A High-Stakes Mission:

1. Overcoming the Khumbu Icefall’s Dangers

   The Khumbu Icefall is one of Everest’s deadliest sections, with shifting ice and crevasses making it treacherous for Sherpas. Traditionally, Sherpas would cross the icefall up to 30 times each season to deliver supplies and retrieve waste, risking their lives with each trip. DJI’s mission in May 2024 aimed to reduce this dangerous labor, allowing the FlyCart 30 to transport essentials like oxygen tanks, food, and tents across the icefall within 12 minutes per trip, both day and night​. DJI Official, ​DroneXL.co

2. High-Altitude Performance of DJI FlyCart 30

   Operating at altitudes over 5,300 meters (17,400 feet), the FlyCart 30 demonstrated its capability to endure thin air, subzero temperatures, and challenging mountain winds. DJI’s latest advancements allowed the drone to function reliably in these extreme conditions, showcasing its potential for future high-altitude missions. The high-capacity batteries and robust design enabled the FlyCart 30 to safely and efficiently complete its trips to and from Everest’s base camps​. DroneDJ.

Environmental Impact: The Role of Drones in Conservation

Mount Everest is not only a peak for adventurers but also an ecosystem increasingly threatened by pollution. With each climber leaving approximately 8 kilograms of waste, the mountain faces an accumulation of refuse, affecting both its natural beauty and local ecosystems. DJI’s drone flights provided a cleaner way to transport garbage from higher altitudes back to base, a crucial step toward sustainable climbing practices. This drone-assisted waste retrieval offers a sustainable solution for reducing the environmental footprint left by climbers​.

Significance and Future Prospects

Following the success of this mission, Nepal’s government began planning to contract drone services for future climbing seasons to ensure cleaner and safer operations on Everest. DJI’s milestone achievement demonstrates the practical benefits of using drones for mountainous regions, making supply delivery faster, reducing environmental impact, and ensuring the safety of climbers and Sherpas alike. The success of this mission could inspire similar drone operations in other high-risk, high-altitude areas around the world.

 

 

Specification of DJI Fly Cart 30:

• Weight: 42.5 kg without battery, 65 kg with two DB2000 batteries 
• Max takeoff weight: 95 kg with cargo at sea level 
• Flight distance: 28 km without payload, 16 km with full payload 
• Max speed: 20 m/s 
• Max flight altitude: 6,000 m 
• Operating temperature -20° to 45° C (-4° to 113° F) 
• Max wind speed resistance: 12 m/s 
• Hovering endurance: 29 minutes with dual battery mode, 15 minutes with single battery mode 
• Obstacle sensing: Front and rear phased array radars, dual binocular vision system 
• Battery: Dual battery system, 6-hour long battery life 
• Dimensions: 2800 x 3085 x 947 mm (LxWxH) with arms and propellers deployed 
• Payload modes: Cargo box and a winch crane system 

Conclusion:

DJI’s high-altitude drone mission at Everest Base Camp stands as a testament to how technology can transform our relationship with the environment. With innovative drone solutions, it’s now possible to support exploration while also safeguarding the ecosystems that climbers hold dear. This achievement opens doors to new uses of drone technology in other remote and challenging locations, revolutionizing high-altitude support, environmental preservation, and adventure safety.

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