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Acquila Facebook

Facebook takes to the skies with solar-powered internet drone

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By John Glenday, Reporter

July 31, 2015 | 1 min read

Facebook has begun to realise its promise of universal web coverage with the roll-out of its first solar-powered internet drone, a stealth bomber-like aircraft designed to allow people in remote areas to log-on.

Facebook, Acquila

With a wing span equivalent to a Boeing 737 the V-shaped craft will be put through trials in the US later this year before being flown to remote corners of the globe to begin its work, flying at an altitude of between 60,000 and 90,000ft to ensure it stays above weather systems.

Facebook’s vice-president of engineering commented: “Our mission is to connect everybody in the world. This is going to be a great opportunity for us to motivate the industry to move faster on this technology.”

Part of the social media giants Aquila programme the initiative aims to ultimately offer internet access to the 10 per cent of the global population who currently have none.

Acquila Facebook

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