A U.S. tech startup called Skydweller Aero has created a solar-powered drone that can fly continuously for up to ninety days, marking a revolutionary advancement in drone technology. The drone is intended for long-term maritime surveillance and was developed in partnership with the French defence electronics firm Thales. Because the Skydweller runs entirely on solar power instead of fuel like other drones do, it can stay in the air for a lot longer than other drones.
The drone has a wingspan of 236 feet, which is 25 feet longer than a Boeing 747, and is powered by more than 17,000 solar cells dispersed over a large 2,900-square-foot wing surface. Under optimal circumstances, these solar cells can produce up to 100 kW of power, which powers the aircraft’s avionics, charges its sizable battery bank, and maintains flight. The Skydweller can fly through the night for up to three months with 1,400 pounds of batteries on board.
Operating between 24,600 and 34,400 feet, the Skydweller can reach as high as 44,600 feet during the day before lowering slightly at night to save power. The drone weighs only 2.5 metric tonnes, which is an incredible 160 times lighter than a Boeing 747, even with its enormous wingspan.
A quadruple-redundant flight control system ensures dependable operation and supports Skydweller’s ability to stay in the air for such long periods of time. A backup system takes over in the event of a system failure, and self-healing algorithms automatically fix any problems. The drone can also carry up to 800 pounds of payload because it is made of carbon fibre.
Despite the fact that solar-powered aircraft are not new, Skydweller’s design uses cutting-edge technologies to maintain stability even at medium altitudes, addressing previous structural issues. Skydweller hopes to transform long-duration aerial monitoring and surveillance in the future by extending its flight duration through additional test flights.