China tests its first solar-powered drone

Beijing, Sep 4 (Prensa Latina) The China Aviation Industry Corporation reported that it successfully carried out the first flight test of a solar-powered drone designed to be used in multiple scenarios.

According to the entity, the vehicle is called Qimingxing-50 (Morning Star), it took off this Saturday at 5:50 p.m., local time, from the Yulin airport, in the northwestern province of Shaanxi; it spent 26 minutes in the air and then landed at 18:16.

The company assured that the vehicle completed the operation without problems and is in good condition.

The drone has six electric motors that work on solar batteries, can conduct maneuvers for a long time even at night and reach more than 20 kilometers of altitude.

Its design will allow it to be sent to carry out reconnaissance missions, geographic mapping, monitoring of forest fires and the atmosphere, among other functions.

Observers indicate that it also broadens the path of research and development of new energies and aeronautical engineering.