The world's largest drone will launch satellites into space

A US company has developed the world's largest unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) called "Ravn X", which it claims can deliver satellites in a very short time and it will be able to reach space at very low cost. Developed by a company called Aevum, the drone is 80 feet long and 18 feet wide, with a wingspan of 60 feet.

The founder and chairman of Aevum, Jay Skiles said that when the fleet of drones is completed, they will be able to launch a satellite into space every 180 minutes (three hours). Despite its large size, it will need only a mile of runway for takeoff and landing, while it will only need 8,000 square feet of space in a hangar. It will also need the same fuel as a normal jet plane.

The company claims that it will be able to fly completely automatically and land on the ground as well. However, based on all the drones built so far, it is more accurate to say that although there will be no pilot on board, one or the other pilot will be sitting "away" and controlling it. That is, we can call it semi-automatic, but it will not be fully automatic.

The data released by the company does not indicate how fast the Raven X will be able to fly and how much it will be able to carry a maximum weight (payload), but it is certain that it is a terrestrial sphere. Reaching the outer edge of the planet will release its payload, which will probably be delivered to the desired orbit with the help of some additional arrangement (such as a rocket).

Being out of the atmosphere, the problem of air friction and resistance will be almost non-existent, which will also save fuel. In this way, any satellite will be able to reach its orbit at a very low cost and in a very short time.

Ravn X drones are very tough and can fly in any weather. Currently, 70% of the "remaining" drones that land after a flight are reused. The company aims to develop drones as soon as possible that can be 100% reusable for one flight after another.

Skiles said that his company has already been contracted by various public and private entities to send several satellites into space with a total value of more than 1 billion. Currently, Ayum's largest client is the US Space Force, which will soon use the ‘Ravn X launch system’ to launch its Aslon-45 military satellites into low-Earth orbit.