China's First Test Flight of High-Altitude Solar-Powered Unmanned Drone

Flying at Stratosphere Altitude Using Solar Energy
Lower Operating Costs Than Satellites and Long-Duration Flight at Desired Locations

[Asia Economy Senior Reporter Cho Young-shin] Chinese media reported that China has successfully completed a test flight of a solar-powered unmanned drone designed to replace satellites. The solar-powered unmanned drone is a flying vehicle capable of long-duration flight using solar energy at stratospheric altitudes (20 km), offering advantages such as lower operating costs compared to satellites and the ability to remain in the required airspace for extended periods.

Photo by Pengpai Capture

According to Pengpai and others on the 5th, China National Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC) conducted the first test flight of the large solar-powered unmanned drone 'Qimingxing (Venus)-50' on the 3rd in Yulin City, Shanxi Province.

Chinese media, citing AVIC's announcement, reported that Qimingxing-50 took off at 17:50, flew for 26 minutes, and successfully landed at 18:16.

AVIC explained that Qimingxing-50 uses only solar power as its propulsion and that once development is complete, it can replace existing satellites for high-altitude reconnaissance, atmospheric pollution monitoring, communication relay, and other purposes.

Chinese media stated that Qimingxing-50 passed its first flight test safely, and that technological development in the fields of new energy, composite materials, and core flight-related technologies will accelerate significantly.

AVIC said, "We will increase investment in the development of large solar-powered unmanned aircraft," and added, "We will lead the related industry through independent innovative technology development in the future."

However, AVIC did not disclose detailed specifications such as the flight duration, altitude, and speed of Qimingxing-50.

Meanwhile, China unveiled the 'WZ (Wuzhen)-8 high-altitude reconnaissance drone' at the 2019 National Day military parade commemorating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the country. Equipped with stealth capabilities, this drone was developed for military reconnaissance and attack purposes.