As the all-electric, solar-powered Solar Impulse is making its way across America, the Midwest has been hit hard with a barrage of violent weather. St. Louis/Lambert Airport in St. Louis, Missouri, is one of the stops on the approximate 2,850 nm journey and suffered extensive damage in a severe storm last week. The storm ripped part of the roof off the hangar where the Solar Impulse was to be parked. Several other buildings and hangars at the airport were also damaged.
Solar Impulse Tests Mobile Hangar
Key Takeaways:
- The Solar Impulse's cross-America flight faced a challenge when its intended hangar at St. Louis/Lambert Airport was severely damaged by a storm.
- To maintain its schedule, the Swiss team utilized a large, mobile inflatable hangar as a unique backup solution for housing the solar-powered aircraft.
- This innovative, translucent hangar protected the Solar Impulse from the elements while allowing its solar batteries to recharge, proving a key "proof of concept" for future missions.
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