Skydweller Aero is proud to be featured in Popular Mechanics for our groundbreaking work in solar-powered, autonomous flight. The article spotlights Skydweller — the largest solar-powered aircraft in the world — and its ability to remain airborne for months at a time without refueling.
With a 236-foot wingspan covered in 17,000 solar cells, a 1,400-pound battery system, and advanced quadruple-redundant flight software, Skydweller is built for unmatched persistence and reliability. Operating at altitudes up to 35,000 feet, our platform can loiter for extended periods, making it ideal for maritime surveillance, disaster response, and other long-endurance missions.
“This is a true, world-changing first in the aerospace industry,” said Robert Miller, CEO and Co-Founder of Skydweller Aero. “We are applying cutting-edge, 21st-century materials science, artificial intelligence, and software development to an industry that has spent more than 100 years building piloted, combustion-based aircraft.”
The feature notes Skydweller’s role in advancing both sustainable aviation and autonomous aerial capabilities — combining carbon-fiber construction, solar energy, and resilient systems to redefine what’s possible in aerospace.
📖 Read the full Popular Mechanics article here: This Plane Is Bigger than a 747. It Can Fly for Months on Its Own.