Solar Powered UAV Flew For Almost 26 Days

Airbus has smashed the record for the longest unmanned flight with their new cutting-edge solar-powered drone.

The Zephyr spent nearly a month in the air during the August of 2018. At three minutes short of 26 days, this is might impressive engineering. During the flight, the aircraft never needed to be refueled - it just kept going on the power of pure sunbeams.

The Airbus Zephyr prototype is designed to float in the stratosphere for months at a time by drawing energy from the sun. It's a similar concept to the canceled Facebook Aquila aircraft. Like that now sadly defunct project, this one is hoping to provide aerial mapping, wifi and surveillance services traditionally done by satellites.

This project has been ongoing since 2015 but the aircraft has only just completed its maiden flight (the same mission that broke the record!). Airbus hopes that its planes will one day replace expensive satellites. The cost to build just one of these satellites can be astronomical (pun intended). On top of that, launching the thing can cost more than multiple UAV aircraft. Even with a relatively inexpensive Space X Falcon 9 launch, a $62 million price tag sure is a hefty fee for a one-way taxi ride into low earth orbit.

The Zephyr aircraft weighs only 165 pounds (75kg). It has an 80ft wingspan. With solar panels built into the wings, the machine can fly for months at a time when at high altitudes. Within the stratosphere, it simply isn't bothered by clouds, weather or complex wind patterns.

Zephyr launched on its maiden voyage on July 11 and only touched down again in August. However, this is only the beginning. Airbus will be running longer missions, starting later this year. It won't be long until the duration record is beaten once again.

It's not just the large companies and corporations of the aviation world who have been experimenting with solar, however. RC Test Flight's Daniel Riley created his own DIY solar plane a few years ago (or more specifically, three solar planes). Here's a flight where he achieved sustained flight whilst at noon. It's great stuff!