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 sunlight-powered electric aircraft designed to overcome traditional range limitations by harnessing solar energy from panels across its 82-foot wingspan.
- After an initial 7-minute flight to 1,000 feet, the aircraft's ambitious goal is to reach 82,000 feet, the edge of the stratosphere, enabling potential 24-hour flight.
- Achieving its high-altitude objectives will require pilots to wear spacesuits due to extreme freezing temperatures and poses significant challenges, as there is no emergency parachute option.
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