Connect with us

PHOTOSPEAKS

Facebook eyes up DRONES: Social network rumoured to be spending $60m on solar-powered aircraft to bring internet to Africa

Published

11 years ago

on

Facebook is tipped to spend $60million on buying Titan Aerospace, which makes drones (pictured) that can fly solo for five years without needing to land, to bring affordable internet access to five billion people who don¿t have it
Facebook is rumoured to be acquiring a company that makes solar-powered drones. And while many people might be worried that the social network could spy on them from the skies, a more altruistic purpose is driving the company’s acquisition bid.
Facebook is tipped to spend up to $60million on buying Texas-based Titan Aerospace, which makes drones that can fly solo for five years without needing to land, in order to bring affordable internet access to some five billion people who don’t have it.
TechCrunch has reported that the social network, which is a backer of the Internet.org initiative, is interested in using some 11,000 high altitude drones to bring internet access to rural Africa and other parts of the world that are not connected.

The company is said to be interested in using the Solara 60 model, which is light-weight solar-powered and can fly at 65,000 feet for five years non-stop.
The Solara unmanned aircraft is 60 metres wide and self-sufficient as it is covered in around 3,000 solar panels producing about 7 kW of electricity.
As it flies above the clouds, it is exposed to sunlight constantly during daylight hours and store energy for the night flight. 
The drones are described as ‘atmospheric satellites’ that could be used for surveillance, to monitor weather and communications. 
Facebook is interested in the latter function and reportedly thinks the drones could be used to provide sustainable regional internet systems.
A source told TechCrunch that if Titan Aerospace was acquired, all its drones would be used for the Internet.org project, which is competing with Google’s ‘Project Loon’.
Google’s effort plans on using balloons instead of drones to bring internet access to rural and remote areas of the world.
Experts have pointed out that Facebook’s recent acquisition of WhatsApp could be used to send messages in places with a weak and slow internet connection, while a data compression technology it bought, Onavo, could be used so that functions need less transmitted data to make them work.
While Facebook’s aim is altruistic, the company would also seem to be looking to the future, as by connecting communities, more people than ever before will get hooked on social media.
Titan Aerospace’s Solara 50 and Solara 60 drones are currently demonstrator models that can be flown and are launched in catapult, but commercial versions are expected next year.
They are designed to be cheaper than the cost of a satellite, while carrying out similar functions such as surveillance, crop-monitoring, weather and disaster oversight.

Read Also:👇🏾

  1. Mark Zuckerberg shares his ‘best moments’ from his visit to Nigeria, Kenya and Rome [PHOTOS]
  2. More PHOTOS Of Facebook Founder Mark Zuckerberg In Abuja
  3. Mark Zuckerberg Walking On The Streets of Yaba Lagos [PHOTOS]
  4. The Energy in Nigeria is Amazing – Facebook Founder Mark Zuckerberg
Related Topics:
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Nigeria receives first shipment of Malaria vaccines in Landmark fight against Disease 5
News7 hours ago

Nigeria receives first shipment of Malaria vaccines in Landmark fight against Disease
Israeli Military Claims It May Have Killed Hamas Leader, Yahya Sinwar.
World News13 hours ago

Israeli Military Claims It May Have Killed Hamas Leader, Yahya Sinwar
Aliko Dangote’s Net Worth Rises To $28 Billion After Launch Of Nigerian Oil Refinery
Business13 hours ago

Aliko Dangote’s Net Worth Rises To $28 Billion After Launch Of Nigerian Oil Refinery
Don Jazzy Donates N100 Million To VeryDarkMan’s NGO
Celebrities15 hours ago

Don Jazzy Donates N100 Million To VeryDarkMan’s NGO
Shatta Bandle And Wife Welcomes Their Second Child
Celebrities16 hours ago

Shatta Bandle And Wife Welcomes Their Second Child
Yinka Ayefele Welcomes Baby Girl With His Wife, Temitope Titilope
Entertainment17 hours ago

Yinka Ayefele Welcomes Baby Girl With His Wife, Temitope Titilope
R. Kelly's Daughter Claims Alleged S3x Abuse By Her Father Led Her To Attempt Suicide
Entertainment18 hours ago

R. Kelly’s Daughter Claims Alleged S3x Abuse By Her Father Led Her To Attempt Suicide
Bobrisky Reacts After Femi Falana, Falz Asked Him To Apologize For Defaming Them
Celebrities18 hours ago

Bobrisky Reacts After Femi Falana, Falz Asked Him To Apologize For Defaming Them
Watch Liam Payne's Last Video Shared Before He Fell To His Death In Argentina
Entertainment19 hours ago

Watch Liam Payne’s Last Video Shared Before He Fell To His Death In Argentina
Actor Ayobami Olabiyi Is Dead
Celebrities1 day ago

Actor Ayobami Olabiyi Is Dead
One Direction Singer, Liam Payne Dies After Falling From Hotel Balcony In Argentina
Celebrities1 day ago

One Direction Singer, Liam Payne Dies After Falling From Hotel Balcony In Argentina
Liam Payne Cause of Death: Former One Direction star dead at 31 6
Entertainment1 day ago

Liam Payne Cause of Death: Former One Direction star dead at 31
Commander 9 Brigade Hosts NAOWA Chairperson, Empowers Widows 7
News1 day ago

Commander 9 Brigade Hosts NAOWA Chairperson, Empowers Widows
Kendrick Lamar Wins Big At 2024 BET Hip Hop Awards [Full List Of Winners]
Entertainment2 days ago

Kendrick Lamar Wins Big At 2024 BET Hip Hop Awards [Full List Of Winners]
CAF Delists Nigeria, Libya AFCON Qualifier Over Ill-Treatment Dispute
Sports3 days ago

CAF Delists Nigeria, Libya AFCON Qualifier Over Ill-Treatment Dispute
Skales Reveals Why He Regrets Not Having Baby Mamas [Video]
Entertainment3 days ago

Skales Reveals Why He Regrets Not Having Baby Mamas [Video]
Electricity Discos Alert Their Customers As National Grid Collapses Second Time In 24 Hours
News3 days ago

Electricity Discos Alert Their Customers As National Grid Collapses Second Time In 24 Hours
Court Fines VeryDarkMan ₦500m, Orders Retraction Of Defamatory Posts Against Femi Falana, Falz
Celebrities3 days ago

Court Fines VeryDarkMan ₦500m, Orders Retraction Of Defamatory Posts Against Femi Falana, Falz
Rivers Assembly: Wike's Loyalists Declare Pro-Fubara Lawmakers' Seats Vacant
News3 days ago

Rivers Assembly: Wike’s Loyalists Declare Pro-Fubara Lawmakers’ Seats Vacant
Our Response To Iran Missile Attacks Will Prioritize National Interest, Not US Opinion - Israel
World News3 days ago

Our Response To Iran Missile Attacks Will Prioritize National Interest, Not US Opinion – Israel