Building communications networks in the stratosphere

What this post added

This post details the development and initial milestones of the Aquila aircraft, a high-altitude, long-endurance UAV designed for stratospheric internet connectivity. It describes Aquila's solar-powered design, its ability to stay airborne for up to 90 days, and its 50-km communications radius. Technical details include its large, lightweight construction with a carbon fiber monocoque wing, its flight altitude range (60,000-90,000 feet), and the optimization of its wing design for lift-to-drag ratio. The post also highlights advancements in free space laser communications, achieving data rates of tens of Gbps through optical transceivers that leverage technologies from Facebook's data centers.