Home / Technology / Student's Drone Hits 491 MPH
Student's Drone Hits 491 MPH
1 Nov
Summary
- Custom drone reached an incredible 491 mph speed.
- Project cost estimates reach $70,000, including engines.
- Student aims for supersonic speed and a $800,000 prize.
An astonishing feat of engineering has emerged from Georgia Tech, where aerospace student Tomas Salvo showcased his custom-built Reaper RC drone reaching an incredible speed of 491 mph (790 kmh). This remarkable achievement, documented in viral video footage, saw the drone maintain its top speed for four minutes, ascending to 6,500 feet with a 2.6-pound payload.
Salvo's ambitious project, estimated to cost around $70,000, includes significant investment in engines and testing. To fuel further development and his pursuit of breaking the sound barrier, he has launched a GoFundMe campaign aiming to raise $50,000, with over $16,000 already pledged.
The aspiring engineer has his sights set on the inaugural Boom Prize, an $800,000 award for the first amateur-built RC aircraft to achieve supersonic speed. While Reaper currently needs to increase its speed by 276 mph to reach Mach 1, the next prototype test flight is anticipated for late November or early December.
