US unmanned solar aircraft featuring the small cost of atmospheric satellites bring great gains

"If you can launch an unmanned solar aircraft into the sky to play the role of atmospheric satellite, it will save much energy and money." According to the Physicist's Organization recently reported in 2012 in New Mexico, the United States established Titan Aerospace The company is working hard to bring this idea to fruition. Recently, during the Washington International Unmanned System (AUVSI) Conference and Exhibition, the company introduced Long Voyage solar drone Solara 50 and Solara 60 and positioned its future role as an atmospheric satellite. Extremely high endurance in high altitude The Solara 50 is under construction and will be ready next year, while the larger SOLARA60 will be completed later. They are all powered by solar energy and have endurance for weeks or even years at high altitudes. Speaking of high altitudes, extreme endurance solar drone will require a lot of skills and expertise, Titan Aerospace Corporation, Solara-type machine has a solid answer. According to the regulations, the company has already piloted a smaller aircraft in the state of New Mexico with a 33-foot wing concept, while a longer battery life test is underway. Solara50 is scheduled to be tested next year. Titan Airlines aircraft will be launched by the aircraft catapults, landing through the bottom of the roller skating. The aircraft can carry a 70-pound payload at 65,000 feet and cruise at a maximum speed of 60 miles per hour. Not affected by the weather work day and night According to the company, these aircraft are not affected by the weather and work day and night night and day. Almost every surface on which it is visible has been engineered with thousands of high-efficiency solar cells, with a total of about 3,000 solar cells covering the upper surface of the wing, the lift and the horizontal stabilizer. The excess energy generated during the day is stored in lithium-ion batteries located in the wings to power night flights. The battery management system ensures that the voltage and thermal thresholds remain below zero degrees Celsius. Solara50 has 164 feet of wingspan. The aircraft was designed to fly to altitudes above 65,000 feet and remain there for a longer period of time, according to some foreign media reports that the aircraft can serve for five years. Although, Solara50 only 70 pounds of payload, while the next production line designed Solara60 will be able to carry 250 pounds. The company noted that SOLARA machines are capable of carrying communications, reconnaissance, atmospheric sensors and other payloads. Performing similar tasks is less expensive than satellites To promote such a long-flying drones, the company's sales information is simple, clearly pointed out that in the past, when the demand for long-lasting signal coverage proposed that the satellite will meet the contract requirements, and the upcoming SOLARA-type aircraft , It will usually be possible to perform similar tasks at lower costs than satellites. And, according to the company, unlike space satellites, SOLARA machines are easier to maintain. Because it can be sent back to the ground as needed, maintained, or upgraded to a valid payload. Titan Aerospace pointed out that SOLARA aircraft will have many potential applications in the future such as asset tracking, search and rescue, pipeline monitoring, disaster recovery, atmospheric and weather monitoring and fire monitoring.

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