Facebook drone (Photo : Reuters)
In its effort to bring Internet connection to some of the most remote locations on Earth, social networking giant Facebook announces that its solar-powered drone is already complete and plans to test it before the end of the year.
The solar-powered drone, called Aquila, has a wingspan of a Boeing 737 aircraft and Facebook plans to use it to deliver Internet access in some of the hardest to reach parts of the world, according to The Guardian.
Facebook's engineering director of connectivity Yael Maguire claim that the drone will weigh around 880 pounds. Maguire added that they intend to operate the drone between 60,000ft and 90,000ft, above the operational altitude of commercial planes, so that no weather disturbance could affect its operations and computer systems.
Facebook Jay Parikh said, "This is going to be a great opportunity for us to motivate the industry to move faster on this technology."
Once operational, the Aquila will have the task of sending Internet signals to rural areas on Earth that lacks communication infrastructure to maintain connection to the Internet. Facebook is targeting certain regions in Africa and India where the drone can operate.
According to Fortune, the drone was built in a span of 14 months by a small group of Facebook engineers based in the United Kingdom. The company did not disclose the exact number of employees that were involved in the project.
The drone is fitted with solar panels and an electric motor accompanied by a battery to which its creators claim can make the drone stay on the sky for three months. While in the air, the drone can transmit Internet signals below its area of coverage spanning a 50-kilometer radius. The signals will be captured by cellular towers and dishes and will convert it to Wi-Fi or LTE network which can then be delivered to users through their smartphones.
Facebook did not offer a specific timeline when the Aquila will be officially launched. However, the company said that it is launching the drone into test phase late in 2015.
