Drone penetrates Virgin's shapely space arse

Vid US UAV outfit 3D Robotics is about to unleash its much-anticipated Solo, and has prompted a bit a of a geekgasm with a vid showing the "the world's smartest drone" penetrating Virgin's shapely space arse.

Yes indeed, that's the Virgin Galactic terminal/hangar at Spaceport America, a structure we described as "a huge pair of galactic buttocks" when we went on a reccy to the New Mexico site last December.

Here's David Patterson of our US allies at Edge Research Laboratory posing outside the facility:

Sadly, we weren't allowed inside the building, since it's leased to Virgin Galactic and not for the eyes of rival spaceplane technicians. This evidently doesn't apply to the 3D Robotics video production team, presumably because Virgin supremo Richard Branson has invested some cash in the company. Indeed, last year he allowed 3DR drones to swarm over his tropical lair on Necker Island.

Spaceport America cost an estimated $230m. Solo is available for pre-order for a rather more affordable $999.95.

On paper, Solo looks like a pretty powerful bit of kit, making it "easy for anyone to get professional aerial photos and video". Boasting "the world’s most advanced Pixhawk 2 autopilot system", it also packs a 1 GHz onboard computer and a similar rig in the dedicated "video game-style" flight controller. This system "reduces the likelihood of mechanical failure in flight and opens up a world of possibility for adding advanced capabilities and features".

Promised future capabilities include "LiDAR for super stable indoor flight" and a "ballistic parachute system", although sadly for the Low Orbit Helium Assisted Navigator (LOHAN) team, 3DR doesn't appear to have any plans for an automated "harass the Federal Aviation Administration" mode.

When we finally do get off the ground, it'll be at Spaceport America and with a 3D Robotics Pixhawk autopilot aboard our Vulture 2 spaceplane. Now, if only someone could lend us a drone to capture the balloon launch, perhaps something with three brains, a GoPro gimbal, live HD vid streaming and handy "Follow Me" mode... ®