Solar Powered Circumnavigator

In a world depending on fossil energies, the Solar Impulse project is a paradox, almost a provocation: it aims to have an airplane take off and fly autonomously, day and night, propelled uniquely by solar energy, right round the world without fuel or pollution. An unachievable goal without pushing back the current technological limits in all fields...

www.solarimpulse.com...

An ambitious, dangerous, and difficult project. An amazing demonstration of the combination of advanced aerodynamic design and photovoltaic systems.


[edit on 7/14/2009 by Phage]

wow,

what an amazing project for these guys to be working on. It seems a shame its taken so long for ideas like this to get off the ground (pardon the pun)

I guess funding for such a thing would have been hard to come by for various reasons.

If this is successful, what are the chances of this technology being put into space ?

The Solar Impulse is attempting its first NIGHT flight tonight!

Follow the Night Flight in real time and experience the adventures of Solar Impulse’s attempt to fly day and night with exciting interactive tools.

Go here to watch this VERY cool solar powered plane live:
www.solarimpulse.com...

reply to post by ziggystar60

Thank you for the alert!
Exciting news!