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> 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 surveill
by 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 agoIf you're ok with it only surveilling areas during the day and having to go around the globe constantly, then yes.
- HelloImDumb 10y agoSolar 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 agoYes, 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 agoShort answer, yes. In practice they would probably switch off with another drone after some period of time (months?) to do a maintenance check.