TechnologySolar-powered Plane Readies for
FlightSolar-powered Plane Readies for FlightThe Associated PressSolar-powered flight is a step closer to reality. A
group of Swiss adventurers are hard at ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R31tkGELxow
Solar
Powered Airplanes
Currently in society, green alternatives for fossil fuels is front and center. What about other modes of
transportation? The solar powered car has been studied and put through a number of road tests but now there is also
discussion of solar powered airplanes. Gasoline use is incredibly high and that does not look like it will
be stopping any time in the near future. Finding an alternative is highly important if we are to make a significant
earthly change. Solar power is something that seems like a great alternative. However, it does have its
disadvantages.
Solar powered planes have been studied before. A version has already been produced called the Solar Impulse.
It was built and designed with much success but it is in need of some further work. Something that runs on the
power of the sun cannot be perfected all at once so it may take several years before the Solar Impulse is available
for use by the general public. Considering this plane costs a whopping $94 million dollars to run, it will have to
undergo much improvement to justify the substantial cost.
The first solar plane was designed so that only one pilot can fit in it at a time. This is definitely a
major disadvantage when it comes to practical, real life use. If something were to happen to the pilot, he would
not have assistance. Also, it hardly makes it a realistic possibility for everyday flight. The solar powered
aircraft is made out of carbon fibre. It is a stable fabric that is also rather supple. The plane draws power from
the sun during the day and stores it so that there is enough power to fly at night as well. Of course like any
solar powered contraption, an overcast day could really botch a day of flying.
The solar powered airliner does have many serious drawbacks. It can currently only fly for eight hours in one
flight interval before it is need of being recharged. When you build something that people need to rely on,
statistics like this could pose a real hazard. The fact that it can fly at a height of 127,000 feet is quite
impressive though. There most certainly are many features that need to be perfected before these planes are made
available for actual public flight.
NASA has been studying the use of solar powered airplanes for many years now. Perhaps in time there will be
significant advancements made in this field so that it can be used to its full potential. The use of solar power in
flight is just not safe or secure enough to launch in the immediate future. Considering the current solar plane
seats only one, it is safe to assume it will be many years before they can possibly become mainstream in any way.
Solar power is a free and natural resource that has proven to be worthy of further study. If it can be utilized in
the best way possible, the results could be astounding.
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