QIMINGXING 50 | IAS GYAN

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‘QIMINGXING 50’ is China’s first fully solar-powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that has successfully completed its maiden test flight.
- It is the first large-sized UAV powered only by solar energy.
According to Chinese media reports, the drone took a smooth flight for 26 minutes and landed safely.
It is a high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) UAV that can stay airborne for long durations.
The drone flies above 20-km altitude where there is stable airflow with no clouds. This helps the drones to make maximum use of solar equipment to stay functional for extended durations.
The drone can operate from 20 km to 100 km above the Earth’s surface; this makes it capable of carrying out satellite-like functions.
- These drones are also called ‘High Altitude Platform Stations’ or pseudo-satellites.
These drones can undertake surveillance missions that require them to stay operational, watching over borders or oceans, for months.
These Drones are cost-effective to build and are also easy to launch and operate.