Airbus, an aerospace company, has completed test flights for its Zephyr powered by solar energy. The platforms are designed to stay in the air for several weeks at a time in order to provide Internet to users on Earth.
So far, Airbus' Zephyr has flown six times: four low-level test flights and two stratospheric flights. The latter were in the air for about 18 days each, totaling more than 36 days of continuous flight after two takeoffs.
"Credible and proven ultrapersistence, stratospheric agility and payload interoperability underscore why the Zephyr is the leader in its sector," said Jana Rosenmann, head of unmanned aerial systems at Airbus quoted by "Pplware."
The Zephyr is an unmanned glider, powered by two small propellers and powered by solar energy, that could spend about six months in the air, without landing, for a much more appealing environmental and economic price than those associated with a satellite.
"It is a sustainable, solar-powered, ISR and grid extension solution that can provide vital future connectivity and Earth site observation that is needed," Rosenmann pointed out.