Abstract
This study aims to promote the conventional solar-powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to be used as a satellite known as a pseudo-satellite (pseudolite). The applications of UAV as a satellite are still in the initial stages because these proposed UAVs are required to fly for long hours at a specified altitude. Any solar-powered system requires extensive mission operation planning to ensure sufficient power to sustain a level flight. This study simulates the optimal UAV configurations at various global locations, and determines the feasibility of a solar-powered UAV to sustain a continuous mission. This study is divided into two different phases. An all-year operation of the average UAV (AVUAV) is simulated in Phase One and is designed specifically for each of 12 cities, namely, Ottawa, Honolulu, Quito, Tahiti, Brasilia, London, Riyadh, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, Accra, Port Louis, and Suva. Phase Two is a simulation of a solar-powered UAV design model known as 1UAV, applicable to any city around the world for a year-long flight. The findings state that a single UAV design is sufficient to operate continuously around the world if its detailed mission path planning has been defined.
Highlights
The development and utilization of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for military and civil applications have significantly increased within the past years [1]
Aerodynamics analysis determines the amount of lift and drag required for the UAV to fly, Aerodynamics analysis determines the amount of TOmax lift and drag required to fly, which are affected by the maximum take-off weight
The wingspan and maximum take-off weight design of the UAV for a specific location are highly dependent on the available solar irradiance and daylight duration
Summary
The development and utilization of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for military and civil applications have significantly increased within the past years [1]. A new UAV that operates as a satellite known as a pseudolite has been developed [2,3]. A satellite is expensive to build and requires a highly skilled engineers [4]. The introduction of an airborne pseudolite may serve as an alternative method for satellite-related missions. Several studies have been conducted to establish long-endurance UAVs, which aim to improve perpetual flights. Battery-powered UAVs cannot replace satellites completely, even though significant improvements have been implemented to enhance the capabilities of battery packs. Researchers are venturing into solar-powered UAVs for the opportunity of endurance enhancement
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