warthog1984
07-07-2010, 01:54 PM
BBC - July 7, 2010
The first step in practical solar transportation -Ed
An experimental aircraft that draws its power from the sun is making a round-the-clock test flight.
The aim is to assess whether the plane can fly in darkness, using solar cells on its wings to generate enough power to stay in the air for 24 hours.
The HB-SIA plane, which took off from Switzerland, has the weight of a family car but the wingspan of a big airliner.
The test flight was initially due to take place last week but was postponed because of a technical problem.
"For seven years now, the whole team has been passionately working to achieve this first decisive step of the project," said pilot Andre Borschberg as he entered the cockpit at an airfield in Payerne, in the west of Switzerland.More... (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science_and_environment/10534960.stm)
The first step in practical solar transportation -Ed
An experimental aircraft that draws its power from the sun is making a round-the-clock test flight.
The aim is to assess whether the plane can fly in darkness, using solar cells on its wings to generate enough power to stay in the air for 24 hours.
The HB-SIA plane, which took off from Switzerland, has the weight of a family car but the wingspan of a big airliner.
The test flight was initially due to take place last week but was postponed because of a technical problem.
"For seven years now, the whole team has been passionately working to achieve this first decisive step of the project," said pilot Andre Borschberg as he entered the cockpit at an airfield in Payerne, in the west of Switzerland.More... (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science_and_environment/10534960.stm)