Solar-Powered Plane Flies Even at Night

[Guest]

Next up: a round-the-world solar-powered plane.

Solar-Powered Plane Flies Even at Night : Read more

 

[chickenhoagie]

looks like a recon-plane.

boy, just imagine a huge airliner using only solar-power. that would be very impressive. but seeing how they're so much closer to space and the sun, I don't see it being too difficult in the future

 

[ubernoobie]

congrats, does it carry people or what does it do?

 

[maestintaolius]

[citation][nom]ubernoobie[/nom]congrats, does it carry people or what does it do?[/citation]
Concept aircraft is what it does, much like concept cars, so nothing practical at the moment.

 

[drwho1]

[citation][nom]ubernoobie[/nom]congrats, does it carry people or what does it do?[/citation]
People? no way the Pilot and Co-Pilot were monkeys didn't you know?

 

[matt87_50]

so can it fly indefinitely or not?

 

[joytech22]

[citation][nom]matt87_50[/nom]so can it fly indefinitely or not?[/citation]

It "Can" but the creators probably landed it so they could.. you know.. make it better?

 

[techguy378]

Considering there are new solar panels that used sphere shaped solar cells that can use reflected and direct light stunts like this aren't too surprising. If Toyota's Prius embedded these newer solar cells into the moonroof then maybe the air conditioning could be solar powered. The current Prius is a disappointment. It turns out the solar panels only power the fans that blow air through the vents, not the AC like Toyota originally said.

 

[ksampanna]

Concept usually means "atleast another five years to get to the public, that is, if we are lucky."
Cool though.

 

[Guest]

I guess it's in a computer website, because it is equipped with the latest Atom Z processor as dahsboard-touchscreen-LCD boardcomputer (or something).

 

[fancarolina]

They missed it when naming it Solar Impulse, nope it should be the Soulplane.

 

[yrmoma]

Fly it in Alaska during the winter and tell me you can have perpetual flight. Not going to happen. This is great, if you have a lot of sunlight. Like in summer. Oh wait, they tested it in summer, didn't they?

 

[renixis_infinity]

Interesting and cool concept

I'm just curious how much did the team spent on it

 

[eddieroolz]

I can see this being perfect for UAVs. With future advancements in solar cells, an airliner can be possible too.

 

[scifi9000]

what fool bags a breakthrough? A troll that's what fool!

 

[archange]

[citation][nom]fancarolina[/nom]They missed it when naming it Solar Impulse, nope it should be the Soulplane.[/citation]

Actually, SolPlane would be fine

 

[nathanlh]

It seems some of the info in this article is wrong. Here is more data from Wikipedia:

General characteristics
Crew: 1
Payload: Lithium-ion batteries: 450 kg, (capacity: 200 Wh/kg = 90 kWh)
Length: 21.85 m (71.7 ft)
Wingspan: 63.4 m (208 ft)
Height: 6.40 m (21.0 ft)
Wing area: 11,628 photovoltaic cells: 200 m2 (2,200 sq ft)
Loaded weight: 1600 kg (3,500 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 2000 kg (4,400 lb)
Powerplant: 4× electric motors, 7.5 kW (10 HP) each
Take-off speed: 35 kilometres per hour (22 mph)
Performance

Cruise speed: 70 kilometres per hour (43 mph)
Endurance: 36 hours (projected)
Service ceiling: 8,500 m (27,900 ft) Maximum altitude: 12,000 metres (39,000 ft)

 

[Gin Fushicho]

Neat. ^_^ Hopefully this will make other solar powered things more efficient.