China plans space-based, solar-powered telecom drones for emergency support

Will be able to provide week-long emergency communications access, likely to go on trial this year

China is planning to build a space-based, solar-powered drone telecommunications network capable of providing week-long emergency assistance on the ground, according to a state media report on Wednesday.

A research institute affiliated with China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp is developing the project "Feiyun," which means "flying cloud," the Global Times reported, citing another report in the Science and Technology Daily.

The network will be based in "near space", it said, adding the system will be able to provide week-long emergency communications access and likely to go on trial this year.

The drones can fly as high