--- title: "China Successfully Tests Solar-Powered Drone Capable of Being Airborne for Months" description: "A previous version test-flown in September managed to remain afloat for five hours, with the latest flight indicating months-long capabilities." date: "2018-11-04" modified: "2020-07-30" authors: - name: "Marco Margaritoff" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/marco-margaritoff" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/drones/24668/china-successfully-tests-solar-powered-drone-capable-of-being-airborne-for-months" categories: - "News" tags: - "Aerial" - "Drones" --- # China Successfully Tests Solar-Powered Drone Capable of Being Airborne for Months ![]() *\www.thedrive.com\* China successfully tested its solar-powered Morning Star drone supposedly capable of being airborne for months at a time, [according to *Business Insider*](). The Developer Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) had already test-flown the unmanned aerial vehicle in September, albeit with a smaller wingspan. This latest flight utilized a 66-foot (20-meter) wingspan version weighing 42 pounds (18.9kg) aimed to reflect the final model. The test flight saw the drone reach and maintain a cruising altitude of over 66,000 feet (20,000 meters). “With the development and first flight, in addition to a great number of ground, wind tunnel and scale model tests…a solid foundation has been laid for follow-up development,” said AVIC. “We will move quickly towards large-scale, heavy load and long endurance solar-powered UAVs.” We’ve covered [solar-powered vehicles]() of this nature before, with use-cases ranging from high altitude pseudo-satellite (HAPS) aimed at replacing traditional satellites, for [surveillance purposes](), spreading internet access or improving search and rescue operations. Airbus’ Zephyr S, for instance, managed to keep the drone afloat [for two weeks without refueling earlier this year](), and nearly 26 days in August thanks to battery technology advancements and a lightweight solar array. The vehicle is aimed at providing internet and cellular access to the more rural and remote areas of the world, with Facebook’s Aquila project, [which has since been abandoned](), focused on the same goal. While AVIC hasn’t presented its findings of this latest test, it did claim that September’s test saw the 10-foot wingspan model fly autonomously for around five hours. For [search and rescue](), communications, and surveillance industries, as well as anyone in need of internet and cellular access, these HAPS vehicles are slowly but surely becoming an innovative solution to a previously complex problem. With the sun feeding these vehicles the fuel they need, and the aircraft themselves thereby light enough to remain afloat for extended periods of time, conventional [satellites]() or airplanes are suddenly more dated than they were a handful of years ago. Ultimately, it’s likely these HAPS vehicles will replace a substantial segment of their traditional counterparts. The implications of this—more information, communication, and more access to it—could have a serious impact on those currently affected by the lack of these elements. ### Author social links [Facebook]() [Instagram]() [Twitter]()