Facebook successfully tests drone to improve Internet access
With the aim of bringing the Internet to remote parts of the world, Facebook has successfully tested out a solar powered drone called Aquila.
Aquila was tested out in a remote part of Arizona, where it successfully flew for 106 minutes. The drone spent most of the time at an altitude of 3,000 feet (Facebook ultimately plans to have the drone fly at far higher height, of 60,000 feet, which is considered optimal for Internet beaming). The launch, flying and safe landing of the drone was successful, unlike previous test where the drone crashed after a short period in flight.
The reason why the drone is being tested is help make the world an interconnected space. As Facebook’s Martin Luis Gomez and Andrew Cox state: “Today 1.6 billion people live in regions that don’t have access to a mobile broadband network. Connecting these remote parts of the world with existing technologies such as buried optical fiber or microwave links on towers is often cost-prohibitive.”
To overcome such obstacles, Facebook is designing what will become a fleet of solar-powered aircraft called Aquila. When fully operational, these high-altitude drones will remain airborne for up to 90 days at a time. In flight the craft will beam broadband coverage to a 60-mile-wide area on the ground.
According to Tech Crunch the purpose of the recent test launch was to gather data, specifically to help the Facebook’s engineers to adjust the models they use to predict energy usage and optimize battery and solar system design. The flight was deemed as success, with Martin Luis Gomez telling the BBC the drone had suffered “a few minor, easily repairable dings”.
Source:-Â http://www.digitaljournal.com/tech-and-science/technology/facebook-successfully-tests-drone-to-improve-internet-access/article/496651
