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Manned flight doesn't seem to be a good application for solar aircraft given the weight and speed limitations. Solar drones seem a much better fit. Airbus see

Manned flight doesn't seem to be a good application for solar aircraft given the weight and speed limitations. Solar drones seem a much better fit. Airbus seems furthest along with their Zephyr [0], it has stayed aloft for 14 days (!). They are targeting the military as a customer and are marketing it as an alternative to a satellite, that is, an indefinite surveillance capability. Facebook has a similar program, Aquila, which is aimed at providing internet access. They just recently had first flight of a full scale version [1]. [0] https://airbusdefenceandspace.com/our-portfolio/military-aircraft/uav/zephyr/ https://airbusdefenceandspace.com/our-portfolio/military-air... [1] http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/07/facebook-tests-full-scale-solar-powered-internet-drone/ http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/07/facebo...

psuter 10y ago
To a large extent it would seem the Solar Impulse team agrees with you: > What we are working on now [...] is to build an airplane which has no pilot. [...] an unmanned version which could fly six months, maybe one year [1] http://videos.usatoday.net/Brightcove2/29906170001/2016/01/29906170001_4713519184001_4712989452001.mp4 http://videos.usatoday.net/Brightcove2/29906170001/2016/01/2... 0:47 onwards
sdegutis 10y ago
> Solar drones seem a much better fit Does that mean you could have a drone permanently hovering just above the clouds, taking constant video or photo surveillance, periodically sending data to whomever, all of this powered entirely by the sun without ever needing to come down or stop?
- Asooka 10y ago
  If you're ok with it only surveilling areas during the day and having to go around the globe constantly, then yes.
- HelloImDumb 10y ago
  Solar aircraft at this stage (large, slow) have to stay in the sun, are sensitive to wind, and require periodic maintenance. In principle what you describe is basically the goal; aviation equivalent of a nuclear submarine that can stay in flight for weeks, months, or more.
- mikeash 10y ago
  Yes, that's what Facebook is aiming for with their Aquila project, for example: https://code.facebook.com/posts/268598690180189 https://code.facebook.com/posts/268598690180189 (Except they want to provide wireless internet, not surveillance.)
  - avn2109 10y ago
    * they want to provide wireless internet for surveillance. Facebook's raison d'etre is to surveil you.
- thinkcontext 10y ago
  Short answer, yes. In practice they would probably switch off with another drone after some period of time (months?) to do a maintenance check.

psuter 10y ago

To a large extent it would seem the Solar Impulse team agrees with you: > What we are working on now [...] is to build an airplane which has no pilot. [...] an unmanned version which could fly six months, maybe one year [1] http://videos.usatoday.net/Brightcove2/29906170001/2016/01/29906170001_4713519184001_4712989452001.mp4 http://videos.usatoday.net/Brightcove2/29906170001/2016/01/2... 0:47 onwards

sdegutis 10y ago

> Solar drones seem a much better fit Does that mean you could have a drone permanently hovering just above the clouds, taking constant video or photo surveillance, periodically sending data to whomever, all of this powered entirely by the sun without ever needing to come down or stop?

Asooka 10y ago
If you're ok with it only surveilling areas during the day and having to go around the globe constantly, then yes.
HelloImDumb 10y ago
Solar aircraft at this stage (large, slow) have to stay in the sun, are sensitive to wind, and require periodic maintenance. In principle what you describe is basically the goal; aviation equivalent of a nuclear submarine that can stay in flight for weeks, months, or more.
mikeash 10y ago
Yes, that's what Facebook is aiming for with their Aquila project, for example: https://code.facebook.com/posts/268598690180189 https://code.facebook.com/posts/268598690180189 (Except they want to provide wireless internet, not surveillance.)
- avn2109 10y ago
  * they want to provide wireless internet for surveillance. Facebook's raison d'etre is to surveil you.
thinkcontext 10y ago
Short answer, yes. In practice they would probably switch off with another drone after some period of time (months?) to do a maintenance check.