Facebook ends development of solar-powered planes that will beam Internet to unconnected parts of world

Briefing

Facebook ends development of solar-powered planes that will beam Internet to unconnected parts of world

July 11, 2018

Briefing

  • Project Halt – Facebook ending plans to develop solar-powered planes, called Aquila, that will connect parts of world to Internet
  • Background – Project started in 2014, announced in 2015, and underwent two test flights
  • Partnerships – Company will instead work on partnering with Airbus and others on high-altitude platform station (HAPS) systems, as well as underlying technologies like flight control computers and high-density batteries
  • Facility Closedown – Research and development facility in Bridgewater, England to close, affecting 16 jobs

Accelerator

Sector

Telecommunications

Organization

Facebook Inc.

Source

Original Publication Date

June 27, 2018

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