Facebook announced last week that it successfully completed a second test of an unmanned aerial system (UAS or drone) designed to carry internet access to remote parts of the world. Unlike Facebook’s first test for this task back in June 2016, the drone did not crash in this second test. Facebook plans to develop an entire fleet of drones that will fly for months at a time – powered entirely by sunlight –communicating with each other through lasers and extending internet connectivity to the ground below. During the first test in June, Facebook flew its drones above the Arizona desert for about an hour and a half, which was three times longer than it planned; but the drone crashed right before landing and ended up with a damaged wing. During this second test, which occurred back in May, the drone flew for about an hour and 45 minutes before landing near Yuma, Arizona, with only a few minor, easily-repairable dings. Before the second test flight, Facebook engineers added “spoilers” to the drones’ wings to increase drag and reduce lift during the landing approach which likely aided in the successful flight and landing. This is the beginning of a new revolution for Facebook and the internet, too.
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