Aircraft range has been a problem since the Wright Brothers, usually meaning too much mission for the fuel aboard. But after last week’s first flight of the sunlight-powered SolarStratos, range problems just might be headed for a permanent solution.
SolarStratos Makes Successful First Flight
Key Takeaways:
- The SolarStratos is a new Swiss solar-powered electric aircraft designed to reach the edge of the stratosphere (82,000 feet), aiming to offer a permanent solution for aircraft range limitations.
- It harnesses electricity from solar panels across its 82-foot wingspan to power its electric motor, allowing for potential 24-hour continuous flights with an estimated 90% efficiency.
- Pilots operating the unpressurized aircraft at extreme altitudes must wear spacesuits, and its maiden flight lasted seven minutes, reaching 1,000 feet.
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