Comments for Solar plane makes night flights »
Posted By ameliog 1 year, 3 months ago in Science & TechnologyA UK-built solar-powered plane has set an unofficial world endurance record for a flight by an unmanned aircraft.
The Zephyr-6, as it is known, stayed aloft for more than three days, running through the night on batteries it had recharged in sunlight.
Read Full Story at news.bbc.co.uk »
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CactusAnnie1 year, 3 months ago
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OUTSTANDING article . I can see all kinds of possibilities for this little craft. For one thing, besides the applications the article mentioned, it could be invaluable in monitoring our national forest and maybe nip a few forest fires in the bud. Search and rescue and boarder patrol are a couple of others that come immediately to mind...
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ameliog1 year, 3 months ago
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FTA: "At first sight, the propeller-driven Zephyr looks to be just another model aircraft, and it is even launched by hand. But this "pilotless" vehicle with its 18-metre wingspan incorporates world-leading technologies.
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Its structure uses ultra-lightweight carbon-fibre material; and the plane flies on solar power generated by amorphous silicon solar arrays no thicker than sheets of paper. These are glued over the aircraft's wings.
To get through the night, the propellers are powered from lithium-sulphur batteries which are topped up during the day. "-
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CactusAnnie1 year, 3 months ago
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I think it is amazing, one of those "why didn't we think of this before" creations. Being overly simplistic, kind of like the pull off lids on the soup cans. I am just really glad I was born when I was and get to watch all the progressions...
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Searchbeam1 year, 3 months ago
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This aircraft is truly remarkable, because it has demonstrated that it can stay in a geo-stationery flight.
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I believe the concept is very similar to another aircraft which had 4 propellers, about 70 feet wingspan and had similar technology. Once it reached its height - I believe it was 70,000 feet above the sea level - it sustained its flight forever, until one of its components failed.
However, if my memory serves right, it was not geo-stationery. To do that, its speed must be exactly equal the Earth's rotational speed expressed in linear speed at that height.
One interesting possibility is to set such a plane at a height and speed that it is constantly powered by solar energy - in other words, it follows the Sun. This would give the plane more payload capacity by eliminating the need for batteries.
It is true. We are fortunate to live in a time when the possibilities seem endless.
Thanks for the story, ameliog! -
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Searchbeam1 year, 3 months ago
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This aircraft is truly remarkable, because it has demonstrated that it can stay in a geo-synchronous flight.
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I believe the concept is very similar to another aircraft which had 4 propellers, about 70 feet wingspan and had similar technology. Once it reached its height - I believe it was 70,000 feet above the sea level - it sustained its flight forever, until one of its components failed.
However, if my memory serves right, it was not geo-stationery. To do that, its speed must be exactly equal the Earth's rotational speed expressed in linear speed at that height.
One interesting possibility is to set such a plane at a height and speed that it is constantly powered by solar energy - in other words, it follows the Sun. This would give the plane more payload capacity by eliminating the need for batteries.
It is true. We are fortunate to live in a time when the possibilities seem endless.
Thanks for the story. ameliog! -
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Lost-Treasure1 year, 3 months ago
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It is certainly amazing and a great accomplishment to place a solar-powered plane in the air. The fact that this plane is unmanned is sounding good when we think of the future of the Airline industry. But, when we think of Pilots and jobs it becomes a bit gloomy. Also, the fact that this plane can operate unmanned what does this pose to us when it comes to our safety? Can such a plane fail and cause destruction? Will the fact that this plane be used more in the future create terrorists to use this plane as a weapon?
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There is good and bad situations that can come from this solar powered plane. -
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Searchbeam1 year, 3 months ago
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Lost-Treasure,
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Your point is well taken.
Looking at their specifications, this craft weighs only 70 pounds (30 kg). If and when it comes down, almost all of it would be broken up by the resistance of the wind and heat. Heavier objects keep falling intermittently, causing very little damage.
Like anything else in the world, good things can be used for bad purposes. Should we stop developing new technologies and new and exciting products because of such concerns?
Firearms, the bane of civilized world, keep on proliferating and causing untold misery, death and destruction to humans and animals. But we have people who will not accept banning them.
Progress always is like a double-edged sword. Should we stop progress because of such concerns?
I hope not.
Peace and Blessings!
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