MARAAL: A Low Altitude Long Endurance Solar Powered UAV For Surveillance and Mapping Applications

Abstract

This paper constitutes the detailed design, fabrication and validation of MARAAL: A low altitude long endurance solar powered UAV to be operated day-night in subtropical region. The SUAV prototype fabricated at Unmanned Aerial Laboratory IIT Kanpur has a wing span of 5.35m, maximum endurance of 18 hours and a maximum 6kg payload capability. The conceptual design process with simulation results are shown along with a detailed description of the solar cell installation process. The paper also highlights the construction efforts and details of the hardware and onboard electronics including surveillance equipment.