Facebook's prototype aircraft that will deliver Internet with a laser is about to take off. It will move with solar ενέργεια, που θα συλλέγουν τα φτερά του, κατασκευασμένα από ίνες άνθρακα που φέρουν σχήματος V. Η συνδεσιμότητα που θα διαθέτει θα φτάνει τα 10Gbit το δευτερόλεπτο. Η company δήλωσε δε ότι θα αρχίσει τις δοκιμαστικές πτήσεις πολύ "σύντομα."
Ο προϊστάμενος τεχνολογίας Mike Schroepfer του Facebook, δήλωσε ότι οι διεργασίες για την εναρκτήρια πτήση του πρώτου σκάφους - που ονομάζεται Άκουιλα ή Aquila- βρίσκονται σε εξέλιξη.
But Schroepfer did not reveal the exact location of the first flight. However, he said Facebok was looking for partners to help project Aquila, according to TheRegister.
This means that Facebook is looking for companies that could continue to improve the project, as well as manufacturers that will create an Aquilas fleet.
The biggest social network reportedly built the laser drone over 14 months at a secret facility in Somerset, using a team of experts with knowledge in the fields of solar-powered flight, according to Schroepfer. But again, he did not reveal the location of the facilities or the people involved.
Aquila was first introduced in July when Mark Zuckerberg announced that it would distribute internet connections to parts of the world that do not have access to the Internet.
Το Facebook συνεργάζεται ήδη με δορυφορικούς παρόχους, και ως μέρος του σχεδίου αυτού - ανακοίνωσε μια συμφωνία με την Eurelsat για την ανάπτυξη του Internet στην υποσαχάρια Αφρική τον Οκτώβριο.
The concept of Aquila is a fleet drones that fly very slowly and continuously for periods of up to three months, around areas with no internet, over an area of 11 miles. The Aquila fleet will fly at an altitude of 30.000 meters, well above the altitude of normal commercial airline routes.
The prototype is enormous: four engines in an area of 43 acres, slightly larger than a Boeing 737, but much, much lighter: from 800 to 900 pounds compared to the 124.500 737 lances.
Solar cells will store energy in lithium-ion batteries.
