In a significant development, Facebook has abandoned its plan to develop high-flying solar-powered drones called Aquila that was aimed to deliver Internet to nearly four billion people in remote parts of the world.
A high altitude platform station (HAPS) system, Aquila's mission, according to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, was to connect the world and help people who do not have online access all the opportunities of the internet.
"We've decided not to design or build our own aircraft any longer, and to close our facility in Bridgwater in the UK," Yael Maguire, a Director of Engineering at Facebook, wrote in a blog post on Wednesday.
"Going forward, we'll continue to work with partners like Airbus on HAPS connectivity generally, and on the other technologies needed to make this system work, like flight control computers and high-density batteries," Maguire added.
Facebook began Aquila project in 2014. In 2017, the solar-powered drone successfully completed the second full-scale test flight.
"Over the next year we're going to keep testing Aquila -- flying higher and longer, and adding more planes and payloads," Zuckerberg had written in a post.
In advance of the second flight, Facebook also incorporated a number of modifications to Aquila.
It included adding "spoilers" to the wings, which help to increase drag and reduce lift during the landing approach; incorporating hundreds of sensors to gather new data; modifying the autopilot software; integrating new radios for the communication subsystem, applying a smoother finish on the plane and installing a horizontal propeller stopping mechanism to support a successful landing.
According to Facebook, HAPS connectivity requires more than just an aircraft.
"We've made important progress on some of the other key parts of the system -- including setting new records using millimeter-wave (MMW) technology in air-to-ground and point-to-point communication," Maguire informed.
Facebook has already connected nearly 100 million people.
"We are continuing to invest in developing next-generation technologies like 'Terragraph', working with partners on new infrastructure builds like our fibre project in Uganda, and supporting entrepreneurs in programs like Express Wi-Fi -- all to help connect the four billion people who still do not have access to the Internet," the blog post said.
Congress, INDIA bloc against development & farmers: PM Modi says in Maharashtra
Criticising the Congress and the INDIA bloc, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the unwavering faith of the people in 'Modi's Guarantee' is giving sleepless nights to the Opposition alliance leaders.
Israel attacks Iran's Isfahan town
It comes few days after Iran had attacked Israel in response to an alleged attack on the Iranian consulate in the Syrian capital of Damascus leading to the killing of seven top officers of the Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps including General Mohammed Reza Zahedi.
Bitcoin scam case: ED attaches assets worth over Rs 97 cr of Raj Kundra, Shilpa Shetty
The attached properties include a residential flat in Juhu, which is in the name of Shilpa Shetty, another residential bungalow in Pune and equity shares in Raj Kundra's name.
NASA head Nelson says China hiding military presence in space
The chief of US space agency NASA has told lawmakers in Washington that China is using civilian programmes to hide military objectives in space.
Google sacks 28 employees involved in protests over Israel govt contract
Tech giant Google has laid off 28 employees who were involved in sit-in protests at its offices over a Google contract with the Israeli government.
US lawmaker raises alarm over spike in attacks on Hinduism
An Indian-descent lawmaker has raised alarm over a “substantial increase” in attacks on Hinduism and Hindu places of worship in the US and expressed frustration at the failure of law enforcement agencies to find and book those responsible.
India is our strategic partner, world's largest democracy: US
Replying to a question raising concern on alleged "democratic backsliding in India" on Monday, he said, "India is the world's largest democracy, it is an important strategic partner of the United States, and I expect that to remain true."
Indian American selected among 12 NASA astronaut candidates
He continued on to earn a master's degree in aeronautics and astronautics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and graduated from the US Naval Test Pilot School.