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'Eternal' Solar Plane Stays Two Weeks Aloft

Posted by timothy on from the for-small-values-of-eternity dept.

An anonymous reader writes "The BBC has a story on the confirmation of the record breaking flight of Qinetiq's Zephyr UAV: 'The UK-built solar-powered Zephyr aeroplane has been confirmed as a record-breaker following its non-stop two-week flight earlier this year. The world governing body for air sports records, the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI), gave Zephyr three records including longest time aloft. Built by defense technology company Qinetiq, the craft completed its two-week flight in the US in July. The company sees applications in surveillance and communications. The July feat led to Zephyr being dubbed the "eternal plane."' YouTube has some footage of the Zephyr in action."

5 of 37 comments (clear)

  1. first Xmas post by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Merry Xmas, /.! XD

  2. Also see: Vulture by CrazySailor · · Score: 5, Interesting

    While Qinetiq has managed two weeks, DARPA is working on a five-year lifespan for its vehicles through the VULTURE program.
    Additional specs: 450 kg payload, 5kW payload power and flight in the 60k ft region.

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    -- Improve Windows - Buy a Mac!
  3. Record time aloft? by rossdee · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Not even close. What about "Five Weeks in a Balloon"?

    And there have been astronauts and cosmonauts on Mir and ISS for 6 months at a time...

    1. Re:Record time aloft? by oodaloop · · Score: 3, Interesting

      I think there being air around you would be a requirement for "staying aloft." Staying in orbit isn't that hard.

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      Tic-Tac-Toe, Global Thermonuclear War, and relationships all have the same winning move.
  4. The Record is for UAVs only by jspoon · · Score: 4, Interesting

    This isn't even close to the manned aircraft record. In the 50s some nuts kept a Cessna 172 flying for more than 2 months. When the generator gave out they hoisted up a small wind generator, taped it to a struct, and ran the power in through the cigarette lighter. Now that's what I call a record!