---
title: "This Strange Solar-Powered Drone Could Save You in a Disaster"
description: "MOZI 2, a solar-powered drone with a wingspan of 15 meters, just successfully completed its maiden flight, according to Chinese media reports."
date: "2019-08-01"
modified: "2019-08-01"
authors:
  - name: "Kristin Houser"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/kristin"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/solar-powered-drone-disaster-relief"
categories:
  - "Drones"
  - "Energy"
  - "Renewable Energy"
  - "Robotics"
  - "Robots and Machines"
  - "Science & Energy"
  - "Solar Power"
tags:
  - "drone"
  - "oxai aircraft co."
  - "solar-powered"
  - "the digest"
---

# This Strange Solar-Powered Drone Could Save You in a Disaster

![MOZI 2, a solar-powered drone with a wingspan of 15 meters, just successfully completed its maiden flight, according to Chinese media reports.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/solar-powered-drone-disaster-relief.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: Oxai Aircraft\</em\>*

## Strange Sight

If you're ever in a disaster and see a weird-looking aircraft flying overhead, don't fret — it could be there to help you.

For two years, Chinese aircraft manufacturer OXAI Aircraft Co. has been developing MOZI 2, a fully solar-powered unmanned aircraft it hopes will one day help out in disaster relief situations.

On Saturday, the drone took its maiden flight at an airport in Deqing County — and it appears the test went off without a hitch.

https://youtu.be/F9StIHxhWyM

## Solar Sells

OXAI Aircraft [told *Xinhua*](<http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-07/30/c_138270560.htm>) that MOZI 2 has a wingspan of 15 meters (49 feet) and is powered solely by solar cells. It can reach an altitude of 8,000 meters (nearly 5 miles), with a maximum cruise time of 12 hours at night following eight hours of charging in sunlight.

In addition to contributing to disaster relief scenarios, the solar-powered drone could be useful for reconnaissance missions and communication efforts, OXAI Aircraft told *Xinhua* — and now that it knows the craft can fly, it can start working toward those applications.

**READ MORE:** [China-made solar-powered unmanned aircraft makes maiden flight](<http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-07/30/c_138270560.htm>) \[*Xinhua*\]

**More on solar-powered drones:** *[NASA Is About to Test a Giant Solar Drone That Broadcasts 5G](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/aerovironment-softbank-5g-drone-uav>)*

### Author social links  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinjhouser>)