Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: IE
Context: The National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) in Bengaluru has successfully conducted the first test of a solar-powered “pseudo satellite” called HAPS (High-Altitude Pseudo Satellite), a new type of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
- HAPS can fly at altitudes of 18-20 km, remain airborne for months or even years, and offer surveillance capabilities similar to satellites but at a lower cost.
- HAPS development addresses the need for continuous surveillance of border areas, inspired by events like the Doklam standoff in 2017.
- HAPS has potential applications in disaster response and providing mobile communication networks in remote areas.
Other countries like China, South Korea, and the UK are also developing similar technology.
