Facebook Aquila, the drone that will connect the world!

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JM Safe

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Apr 12, 2015
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The Facebook project to provide internet connectivity through special aircraft is taking shape. The company officially unveiled a special Eagle aircraft designed to fly at high altitudes, characterized by the possibility to stay in the air for a long time in perfect autonomy. Aquila will be used to provide broadband connectivity in developing countries where the normal network infrastructure may not arrive.

Aquila has a V shape that recalls the airfoil of a Boeing 737. It is a very light aircraft. In fact, even when fully loaded weighs 880 including Eagle and 1000 pounds, i.e. no more than 453 Kg. This special Facebook drone will be able to fly for 90 days at an altitude of between 60,000 and 90,000 between feet and meters 18288 27432 meters. This means that Eagle will fly well above normal aircraft trade routes and even above the clouds, thus avoiding problems related to the weather. Connectivity will be offered using a special laser that connect Eagle with a device that will allow users to access the internet. The use of lasers however provides for certain limitations in case of bad weather or rain. In these scenarios the connectivity may be slower.
The plane is constructed from two layers of carbon fiber material that contain within them a layer of foam. Aquila will be powered by solar energy and 90 days are possible thanks to the abundant presence of solar panels. During the day, when the batteries are fully charged, the planes will fly at an altitude of 90,000 feet. But at night, in order to save energy, Facebook planes will drop up to about 60,000 feet up again the next day.

Facebook has also stressed that it has obtained a significant leap forward in speed and accuracy in use of lasers can provide connectivity to 10 gigabits per second, which is about 10 times higher than the current laser technology used commonly.

Facebook plans to use its fleet of planes for Eagle to create a network that will bring internet access in rural areas. Using a variety of data sources, Facebook can tell where people are, to decide the most convenient way to carry their connectivity.

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