Solar-Powered Plane to Fly Around the World

Posted by timothy on Sunday December 28, 2003 @08:03AM from the adrian-monk-not-on-board dept.

securitas writes "The BBC's Carolyn Fry reports on the Solar Impulse project, a plan to circumnavigate the globe in a solar-powered airplane. Adventurers Brian Jones and Dr. Bertrand Piccard, who were the first people to circumnavigate the globe in a balloon in 1999, are behind the Solar Impulse project. The project is proceeding to the design stage after a feasability study determined that the solar-powered airplane concept is a viable idea. While other solar-powered planes like the Helios prototype have relied on a secondary power source (fuel cells), this project will be powered by solar energy alone. Batteries will store energy received in daylight hours to fly all night. The first prototype is scheduled for launch in 2006."

1 of 108 comments (clear)

Re:What about... by Amiga+Lover · 2003-12-28 08:15 · Score: 5, Funny

Big spotlights on the ground shining up at the plane as it goes by!

The spotlights will be powered by a combination of coal powered power stations in urban areas, ancient russian nuclear reactors... and furnaces powered by burning kittens.

But the light is enviro friendly!