'Undisclosed' Sum Convinces Titan To Accept Merger With Google

A few weeks ago, cyberspace was all abuzz with rumors of a possible acquisition of Vern Raburn's Titan Aerospace by Facebook... but the rumors slowly subsided -- and for good reason.

ANN has confirmed that Titan is, instead, being acquired by Google in a deal whose worth is reportedly "impressive," but for which the details have yet to be disclosed.

Titan Aerospace is a leading UAV research startup that has some aggressive programs underway to work the atmosphere for opportunities in which robotic vehicles might be put to use, mostly at VERY high altitudes, undertaking missions that range from internet propagation, telecom, and research to farming support.

The current star of the show is a vehicle called the Solara 50... which should fly later this summer. Titan's Raburn notes that the Solara 50 employs an ultralight airframe supported by a 164 ft long wing adorned with thousands of high efficiency solar cells. The solar powered capabilities inherent in the design allow Solara to stay aloft for months, even years at a time, at altitudes as lofty as FL650 (65,000 feet). During the day, solar energy powers the propulsion system as well as the payload, while it also charges the onboard batteries for use in the evening.

Titan expects that the Solara could, "open the door for stationing payloads near the edge of earth’s atmosphere. Unlike space satellites, the Solara is far less expensive to buy and launch, has a larger launch window, and most importantly, can easily be brought back for maintenance or payload upgrades. This allows the flexibility of flying different missions with the same serviceable airframe."

While details are a mite sketchy until the formal announcement and details from Google, Titan CEO Vern Raburn will stay with the company and supervise the welcome transition from startup to properly funded R&D venture. The company will remain in New Mexico, as well. Raburn remains intent on getting the Solara 50 into its test flight program this summer and building the company from there.

Raburn tells ANN that, "It's exciting to be part of a group of people... and a company... that wants to do important things -- especially a high-tech company that understands the value of programs like ours." 

FMI: http://titanaerospace.com/