Solar Powered Helios Plane Destroyed in Test Flight

Posted by michael on Friday June 27, 2003 @12:59AM from the in-the-event-of-a-water-landing dept.

deglr6328 writes "NASA's solar powered Helios airplane has crashed into the Pacific off the coast of Kauai today during its first test using a regenerative fuel cell power supply. Helios held the record for highest prop propelled plane altitude at 96,863 (set 2 years ago) and was making preparations for a 96 hour continuous flight using its 62,000 solar cells during the day while electrolyzing water into hydrogen and oxygen for use in its fuel cells at night. With the capability to carry 200 lb. to near 100,000 ft. for months on end, Helios was eyed with great anticipation by scientists and RF telecommunications buisnesses alike."

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Re:A thought or two... by Soulfader · 2003-06-27 01:10 · Score: 2, Redundant

With failures like this mounting up, it's obvious why the government is so reluctant to spend more money on NASA projects. We need a victory of some sort [...]
Apparently, in your hurry to post this profundity, you missed the summary, which specifically mentioned the altitude record set two years ago. Not a failure by any means. Just a setback.