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Briefing
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- Solar-Powered Drone – Facebook successfully completed second test flight of solar-powered drone, Aquila, which could potentially provide Internet access to almost four billion people globally without connectivity
- Second Flight Details – Took flight on May 22, 2017, staying up on air for one hour and 46 minutes at 3,000 feet altitude, significantly lower than intended goal of 60,000 feet
- Aquila Features – Uses solar energy to power engines and internet equipment, has wingspan as wide as Boeing 737, and equipped with autopilot system, sensors, and horizontal propellers
- Next Steps – Optimize energy usage, battery, and solar design based on real-world data gathered from second flight as well as improve horizontal propellers
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