Most drones compromise prop size for control bandwidth. Freefly spent years on motor drive hardware and control algorithms that allow the Astro to run 21-inch props at 40 kHz/s acceleration on a drone body only 14 inches square. The result is a longer flight time, lower noise floor, and finer control precision than any competing platform of this size.
350 W continuous / 600 W peak per motor. Sine-wave ESC eliminates cogging and audible switching noise, enabling the quiet, stable hover that defines the Astro's field reputation.
During testing, Freefly achieved 40,000 RPM/s motor acceleration the upper limit before the folding prop adapter reaches structural limits. This bandwidth is what makes Astro's position hold exceptional in high-wind conditions.
With no payload, the Astro achieves 39 minutes on a single SL8-Air battery. With the LR1 mapping payload fitted, effective mission flight time is 28 minutes covering over 220 acres at 2 cm GSD.
Astro's Smart Dovetail interface is the industry standard for payload interoperability. Vertical Aspect supports the primary sensor configurations used in professional survey, inspection, and federal programs.
61 MP Sony sensor with vibration-isolated gimbal. Supports 24 / 35 / 50 / 75mm lenses. Optional thermal (640px radiometric, <40 mK) and laser rangefinder add-ons. 28-minute flight at 970g. 220+ acres at 2cm GSD per flight.
Freefly's own LiDAR payload line: Flux H1 (Hesai XT-32MX, 715g), Flux O1 (Ouster OS1, NDAA compliant, 663g), and Flux L1 (entry-level non-repetitive scan, 715g). Professional results in a travel-ready package.
Compact Astro-ready optical gas imaging sensor for precision aerial gas leak detection. Detects hydrocarbon and other gas leaks in pipeline, utility, and industrial infrastructure inspection missions. 1,320g / 2.91 lb.
NDAA-compliant 65MP global shutter mapping sensor at 588g. Sentera 6X multispectral at 511g for precision agriculture, with thermal and thermal pro variants. Full suite of Sentera sensors validated on Astro Smart Dovetail.
Full-featured LiDAR with integrated RGB camera for survey-grade corridor mapping and 3D modeling. Smart Dovetail mount with 1,800g payload weight. Point cloud and imagery delivered in a single flight. Survey-grade output for infrastructure and terrain.
NDAA-compliant LiDAR and RGB camera system on Smart Dovetail at 1,400g. Ouster OS1-64 sensor delivers high point density for corridor mapping, terrain modeling, and infrastructure inspection. One of the few LiDAR payloads where both sensor and platform meet federal procurement requirements end to end.
