The solar energy Zephyr drone, developed by the multinational Aerospace Corporation Airbus, has climbed new summits, establishing global records for endurance and altitude. This light plane, weighing only 75 kg, is launched by hand and ready to revolutionize the flight at high altitude and long -termStay in the air for more than 2 months!
The Zephyr operates on an innovative cycle of the day:
- During the day, solar panels charge the batteries and feed the propellers, allowing the UAV to go up to 75,000 feet.
- At night, the batteries take over, and while the propellers slow down, the drone remains greater than 60,000 feet until sunrise.
The solar network is so effective that it can recharge the batteries by the most normal lunch, without requiring complete coverage of the wing surface.
Look at the incredible flight of the Zephyr on our YouTube channel!
After almost two decades of development, the Zephyr is now marketed for a range of critical applications:
- Earth observation
- Mobile telephony stations in the stratosphere
- Rescue communications in the event of a disaster
Operating like a cell tower in the sky, the Zephyr can cover an area equivalent to 200 stations on the ground, eliminating the need for traditional infrastructure such as steel towers, optical fiber and power lines.
Reaching the stratosphere is difficult, forcing the Zephyr to navigate in various weather conditions during an ascent of 10 hours. However, once it reaches calm and clear air over 60,000 feet, it can maintain its altitude for months.
Zephyr faces competition from other high-altitude platform stations (HAP) and satellites, but its advantages include persistent observation of the earth and high-speed 5G connectivity to mobile devices on the ground.
As the demand for reliable and high -speed connectivity increases, in particular in remote areas and badly served, the Zephyr and the similar haps could contribute to the closure of the digital fracture. By providing a profitable alternative to traditional infrastructure, these drones have the potential to connect millions of people to the digital world.
Drone's capacities in earth observation could also be invaluable to monitor climate change, natural disasters, precision agriculture and infrastructure management. Read how in situations where GPS navigation is not reliable or unavailable, Qudata technology guarantees specific navigation and positioning of UAVallowing the delivery of critical aid to previously inaccessible locations.
