Solara 60. Facebook might want purchase a company that makes drones.
06/03/2014.
Facebook.
metalocus, INÉS LALUETA.
metalocus, INÉS LALUETA.
Facebook is one of the primary backers of the Internet.org initiative, and wants to use long-flying drones to bring Internet connectivity to 5 billion people in the world, who still lack connectivity. It is in talks with Titan Aerospace, makers of near-orbital -near 20 km height-, solar-powered drones which can fly for five years without needing to land. Facebook could buy this company and the price for this acquisition is $ 60 million.
Solara 50 Farm © 2014 Titan Aerospace. Click above to see larger image.
Solara 50 Coast. © 2014 Titan Aerospace. Click above to see larger image.
Solara 50 Wing. © 2014 Titan Aerospace. Click above to see larger image.
Solara 50 High Alti. 2. © 2014 Titan Aerospace. Click above to see larger image.
The Solara 60 is the larger of three unmanned aerial vehicles from Titan Aerospace. Click above to see larger image.
Facebook seems to be interested in using these high-flying drones, specifically the “Solara 60″ model.
This featherweight aircraft built using composites has a 160-foot wingspan and is wrapped in solar cells that supply the energy needed to take off at 20 mph. Carrying up to 250 pounds of payload, the Solara 60 will carry anything from signals intelligence gear to electro-optical sensors or communications equipment. The Solara 10 is already flying on regular missions, the Solara 50 is currently in advanced development and the Solara 60 is expected to fly in late 2014.
These drones are “atmospheric satellites” that can conduct most of the operations of an orbital satellite, but are cheaper and more versatile. The drones could potentially have many uses, including weather monitoring, disaster recovery, Earth imaging, or communications, the company has said, but clearly Facebook would be interested in that latter part.
