Solar energy on the wing

To go with today's release of the first results from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (see post below), I found the news of the first flight of the Solar Impulse Project prototype to be very appropriate. Aviation Week reports:

The Solar Impulse prototype HB-SIA has now made its first official flight test.

The 87 minute flight saw the vehicle reach 1,200 meters, slightly more than first planned. Markus Scherdel was at the controls.




In a statement on the event, Andre Borschberg, CEO and project co-founder notes that "this first mission was the most risky phase of the entire project. 1 hour 27 min. of intense emotion after 7 years of research, testing and perseverance. Never has an airplane as large and light ever flown before!"

And, he adds, "the aim was to verify the prototype’s behaviour in flight and to test its reaction to various manoeuvres. The success of this first flight allows us to envisage the further program with greater serenity."

There's more at the link.

The Solar Impulse Project aims to fly an aircraft around the world using only solar power, using solar cells to charge batteries during the day and drawing on the latter for power at night. The prototype, which flew today, is intended to remain aloft for up to 36 hours at a time. A subsequent aircraft will make the first round-the-world attempt, with several stops to change pilots. As more powerful batteries are developed, a further development of the aircraft, with accommodation for two pilots, may attempt a non-stop circumnavigation. You can read more at the project's Web site.

Here's a video clip of the prototype's first flight.

Good luck to all concerned.

Peter