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World's First Solar-Propelled Blimp To Cross English Channel

Posted by timothy on from the all-I've-got's-this-sunny-afternoon dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Can a blimp propelled entirely by solar power cross the English Channel? We're about to find out! Nephelios, the world's first solar blimp, was built by Projet Sol'r — a collaboration between students at engineering and technical schools in France. Now, almost a year after its debut (and a year after it was supposed to launch), the helium-filled airship is ready for action, with its inaugural flight set to take place next week. The blimp is covered in semi-flexible solar cells that can generate up to 2.4 kilowatts — enough to keep the blimp moving at 25 mph as it crosses la Manche."

5 of 87 comments (clear)

  1. now that's quick! by sholdowa · · Score: 2, Interesting

    3HP and it'll do 25mph. Impressive.

  2. Ultimate greenness by estestvoispytatel · · Score: 2, Interesting

    It needs to be filled with the free range cow farts for extra green points.

  3. Re:Palm to the forehead by hairyfish · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Bleriot did it in 1909. The fact that there's a simple PV motor attached actually makes this less impressive than his original feat over a century ago. I could probably knock up a smaller yet equally effective version with parts from my local electronics shop. It might not be dumb, but it surely isn't news

  4. Solar-powered? by muzicman · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Did they use solar power to create the helium? Since the helium produces the lift, to be solar-powered it would also need to produce the helium. Running a couple of propellers isn't new. Check out the Helios aircraft from NASA for a true solar-powered aircraft. http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/history/pastprojects/Helios/

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  5. Re:This sounds like a good idea. by wisdom_brewing · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I believe that would be Hilo, Hawaii...

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