An arrangement determination apparatus is provided comprising a target region identifying unit configured to identify a target region for providing service by a plurality of flying objects, the plurality of flying objects forming a wireless communication area on a ground by emitting a beam toward the ground, a flying object number retrieving unit configured to retrieve a number of the plurality of flying objects, a point retrieving unit configured to retrieve a point for each of a plurality of meshes obtained by dividing the target region, and an arrangement determination unit configured to determine an arrangement of the plurality of flying objects over the target region based on the number of flying objects and the point for each of the plurality of meshes.

A solar unmanned aircraft is disclosed. The aircraft includes a first body, a second body, a main wing, a tail wing and at least four vertical control wings. The at least four control wings are all located below the main wing and the tail wing so that an upper surface of the main wing and tail wing can massively be installed with solar panels. Each of the vertical control wings has a fixed wing and a rudder. The rudder can rotate with respect to the fixed wing to control the attitude and motion of the solar unmanned aircraft.

A system and a method for suppressing a deterioration of communication quality due to frequent occurrence of handovers at cell boundaries of a plurality of cells formed by a plurality of radio relay apparatuses that can move in an upper airspace, are provided. In the system, each of the plurality of radio relay apparatuses for performing a radio communication with a terminal apparatus comprises a radio relay station which is movably provided by flying in an upper airspace, forms a cell toward the ground or the sea, and performs a radio communication with a terminal apparatus located in the cell. Each of the plurality of radio relay apparatuses flies in cooperation with each other so as to maintain a positional relationship between the radio relay apparatuses by an autonomous control or external control.

An arrangement determination apparatus is provided comprising a target region identifying unit configured to identify a target region for providing service by a plurality of flying objects, the plurality of flying objects forming a wireless communication area on a ground by emitting a beam toward the ground, a flying object number retrieving unit configured to retrieve a number of the plurality of flying objects, a point retrieving unit configured to retrieve a point for each of a plurality of meshes obtained by dividing the target region, and an arrangement determination unit configured to determine an arrangement of the plurality of flying objects over the target region based on the number of flying objects and the point for each of the plurality of meshes.

Unmanned aerial vehicles are provided. In one aspect, the unmanned aerial vehicle includes a four-bar linkage mechanism in mechanical communication with a pair of wings. An electrical subsystem includes an actuator in mechanical communication with the four-bar-linkage mechanism. The actuator is in electrical communication with a capacitor. A plurality of solar panels is in electrical communication with the capacitor, which is configured to harvest non-battery energy from the plurality of solar panels to power the actuator for controlling the four-bar linkage mechanism to operate the pair of wings.

Unmanned aerial vehicles are provided. In one aspect, the unmanned aerial vehicle includes a four-bar linkage mechanism in mechanical communication with a pair of wings. An electrical subsystem includes an actuator in mechanical communication with the four-bar-linkage mechanism. The actuator is in electrical communication with a capacitor. A plurality of solar panels is in electrical communication with the capacitor, which is configured to harvest non-battery energy from the plurality of solar panels to power the actuator for controlling the four-bar linkage mechanism to operate the pair of wings.

Some embodiments include a high efficiency, lightweight solar sheet. Some embodiments include a solar sheet configured for installation on a surface of a UAV or on a surface of a component of a UAV. The solar sheet includes a plurality of solar cells and a polymer layer to which the plurality of solar cells are attached. Some embodiments include a kit for supplying solar power in a battery-powered or fuel cell powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) by incorporating flexible solar cells into a component of a UAV, affixing flexible solar cells to a surface of a UAV, or affixing flexible solar cells to a surface of a component of a UAV. The kit also includes a power conditioning system configured to operate the solar cells within a desired power range and configured to provide power having a voltage compatible with an electrical system of the UAV.

A search and rescue drone system includes a buoyant body member, a frame attached to the buoyant body member for carrying a motor and propeller, and an electronic array including a camera, GPS, an EPIRB radio distress beacon, and a transmitter/receiver for remote control flying the drone and communicating with an operator. A laser guidance system may provide coordinates for landing near a swimmer in distress. The search and rescue drone may also be programmed to simply fly to the location of an electronic wearable device, like a bracelet, that is worn by a man overboard. In another embodiment, the search and rescue drone includes pivoting motor mounts, so that it can take off and land vertically with propellers rotating in a horizontal plane, and then the propellers may pivot to rotate in a vertical plane for propulsion across water similar to a fan boat with rescued people aboard.

Provided is a control apparatus for controlling a plurality of flying bodies including a first flying body having an antenna for forming a communication area by a beam irradiated toward the ground to provide wireless communication service for a user terminal in the communication area. The control apparatus comprises a selection unit configured to select a flying body of a combination target to be combined with the first flying body from the plurality of flying bodies; and a flying body control unit configured to control combination of the first flying body and the flying body of a combination target.

It is prevented that a communication relay apparatus in an upper airspace, which is suitable for constructing a three-dimensional network, falls by a strong wind. A communication relay apparatus is provided with a relay communication station that performs a radio communication with a terminal apparatus, and is capable of flying in an upper airspace by an autonomous control or an external control. This communication relay apparatus includes a flight control section that controls a flight of the communication relay apparatus based on flight control information determined so as to reduce an influence of a strong wind generated around the communication relay apparatus. The flight control information may include information for controlling at least one of a flight direction, velocity, altitude, attitude, flight route and flight pattern of the communication relay apparatus.