Facebook’s solar-powered plane completes first flight

Facebook’s first solar-powered plane that will beam internet to remote parts of the world has successfully finished its first test flight. Owner of the social network Mark Zuckerberg yesterday announced […]

Facebook’s first solar-powered plane that will beam internet to remote parts of the world has successfully finished its first test flight.

Owner of the social network Mark Zuckerberg yesterday announced the internet drone completed its first flight on 28th June.

The Aquila drone flew for 96 minutes but was initially expected to fly only for 30 minutes.

The plane’s body is made of a carbon fiber composite so it weighs less than 1,000 pounds and the amount of solar energy it consumes is around 5,000W.

Mr Zuckerberg added: “Eventually, our goal is to have a fleet of Aquilas flying together at 60,000 feet, communicating with each other with lasers and staying aloft for months at a time – something that’s never been done before.”

Latest Podcast