Experimental Facebook drone experienced structural failure on approach

[Mark in CA]

This appears to have happened last July, but only being reported now. Anyone know more?

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...f-safety-probe

[dartmoorman]

I am surprised that there are no more comments on this - not too sure on high altitude aerodynamics but surely it would have been better to adopt the standard "bird" layout ie tail and tripod landing capability ... ? The take-off looked pretty good but ??? Also looking forward to see where the structural failure initiated ... root bending moments perhaps ...

[peekay4]

The drone is intended to be solar powered eventually, and a 'flying wing' design is in theory the most aerodynamically efficient configuration (the least amount of drag).