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A college student's jet-powered drone may have just broken a world record
Mashable • • world
Key Points:
- Georgia Tech student Tomas Salvo built a custom Reaper RC drone that reached 491 mph while carrying a 2.6-pound payload, maintaining this speed for four minutes and covering a range of 31 miles.
- The drone climbed to a maximum altitude of 6,500 feet during its flight, showcasing impressive engineering and space-grade technology.
- Salvo's project has cost an estimated $70,000, including $40,000 for engines and testing, with a GoFundMe campaign currently raising funds to support further development.
- He aims to compete for the Boom Prize, which offers $800,000 for the first amateur-built RC airplane to break the sound barrier, requiring an additional 276 mph increase from his drone's current speed.
- The viral video of the drone's flight has garnered over two million views, attracting significant public interest in Salvo's work and future ambitions.
