China is back in the news after successfully testing the first solar drone high-rise designed and manufactured in the country specifically by the aeronautical company China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
The interest in China to develop this type of spacecraft is that, according to theory, this type of unmanned spacecraft can offer a flight autonomy of several months at an altitude of several tens of kilometers. This is possible since, during the flight itself, these flying devices can charge their batteries thanks to the solar panels located on their wings.
China already has its first solar drone destined, possibly, for telecommunications.
On the other hand, it is necessary to take into account the rivalry not only military, but also in terms of technological development that exists between China and other countries, so we just have to mention that today both the United States and England already have this type of flying apparatus to understand the needs and competitiveness that can lead China to want to build and test one.
As for the solar drone developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, it should be noted that we are talking about a prototype developed based on the Chai Hong family of unmanned spacecraft. On these aircraft they have managed to create a model of a 45 meter wingspan that, during its first test, it was able to fly at an altitude of about 20 kilometers for about 15 hours.
At the moment neither the company in charge of its development nor the government itself have wanted to comment on the uses they intend to give to this new type of aircraft, although it is known, from the use that is being given to these solar drones in other countries, that they are usually used What platform for communions between large areas.