In this world where clicking a selfie and posting it on social media, takes hardly a few seconds, it is amazing to note that only 40% of the world is acually connected.
Simple reason: Connectivity is costly.
It involves an expensive infrastructure something which operators may not be able to afford, forget about those people whose daily income is around $1.25. With this in mind, Facebook started the Connectivity Lab which came up with a
that can beam data to the ground using lasers.
Aquila will operate at heights of 60000-90000 feet above air traffic and weather.
A few notable features include:
It involves an expensive infrastructure something which operators may not be able to afford, forget about those people whose daily income is around $1.25. With this in mind, Facebook started the Connectivity Lab which came up with a
solar powered, unmanned, high-altitude aircraft
 |
| Aquila |
Aquila will operate at heights of 60000-90000 feet above air traffic and weather.
A few notable features include:
 |
| Wing is made of cured carbon fibre stronger than steel but flexible |
- Wingspan size same as Boeing 747.
- Lighter than a car.
- Aquila will have a connectivity radius of 50 kms.
The communication equipment sits in the middle of the aircraft.The most amazing milestone reached by the lab is a breakthrough in laser technology where according to Mark Zuckerberg's post
"We've also made a breakthrough in laser communications technology. We've successfully tested a new laser that can transmit data at 10 gigabits per second. That's ten times faster than any previous system, and it can accurately connect with a point the size of a dime from more than 10 miles away."
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| Aquila will transmit data between aircrafts using lasers |
Aquila can stay up in the air for upto 90 days since it only depends on solar energy and the fact that all this was achieved in 14 months along with a breakthrough in laser technology is impressive. Aquila will be tested later this year.
India along with other underdeveloped countries have signed up for Aquila, including Zambia, Ghana, Colombia, Pakistan and others. Let's hope that this ambitious project by Facebook helps connect the world better.
Take a sneakpeek into the Connectivity Lab
For more news and info, keep watching this space
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