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Solar powered aircraft. Was: Can Aircraft Be Far Behind?
Larry Dighera wrote:
http://www.teslamotors.com/ The world altitude record for propeller-driven aircraft belongs not to one powered by an internal combustion engine but by... .... a solar electric powered aircraft! Specifically the NASA Pathfinder planes: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/n...-034-DFRC.html "During 1998, the Pathfinder was modified into the longer-winged Pathfinder-Plus configuration. On Aug. 6, 1998, the modified aircraft was flown to a record altitude of 80,201 feet for propeller-driven aircraft on the third of a series of developmental test flights from PMRF on Kaua'i." |
#2
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Solar powered aircraft. Was: Can Aircraft Be Far Behind?
On Wed, 10 Jan 2007 03:58:26 -0000, Jim Logajan
wrote in : Larry Dighera wrote: http://www.teslamotors.com/ The world altitude record for propeller-driven aircraft belongs not to one powered by an internal combustion engine but by... ... a solar electric powered aircraft! Specifically the NASA Pathfinder planes: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/n...-034-DFRC.html "During 1998, the Pathfinder was modified into the longer-winged Pathfinder-Plus configuration. On Aug. 6, 1998, the modified aircraft was flown to a record altitude of 80,201 feet for propeller-driven aircraft on the third of a series of developmental test flights from PMRF on Kaua'i." Yes. We have discussed MacCready's work here in the past. It was unmanned, and structurally questionable in the name of extreme weight reduction, but it was able to remain aloft for extended periods, IIRC. |
#3
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Solar powered aircraft. Was: Can Aircraft Be Far Behind?
Larry Dighera wrote:
On Wed, 10 Jan 2007 03:58:26 -0000, Jim Logajan wrote in : Larry Dighera wrote: http://www.teslamotors.com/ The world altitude record for propeller-driven aircraft belongs not to one powered by an internal combustion engine but by... ... a solar electric powered aircraft! Specifically the NASA Pathfinder planes: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/n...-034-DFRC.html "During 1998, the Pathfinder was modified into the longer-winged Pathfinder-Plus configuration. On Aug. 6, 1998, the modified aircraft was flown to a record altitude of 80,201 feet for propeller-driven aircraft on the third of a series of developmental test flights from PMRF on Kaua'i." Yes. We have discussed MacCready's work here in the past. It was unmanned, and structurally questionable in the name of extreme weight reduction, but it was able to remain aloft for extended periods, IIRC. It's really cool looking also. It was hung a week or 3 ago at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian (Chantilly, VA - Dulles Airport) Margy |
#4
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Solar powered aircraft. Was: Can Aircraft Be Far Behind?
"Margy Natalie" wrote It's really cool looking also. It was hung a week or 3 ago at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian (Chantilly, VA - Dulles Airport) This is a replica, no? Do you know who built it, if it is? -- Jim in NC |
#5
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Solar powered aircraft. Was: Can Aircraft Be Far Behind?
On Thu, 08 Feb 2007 21:16:54 -0500, Margy Natalie
wrote in : Larry Dighera wrote: On Wed, 10 Jan 2007 03:58:26 -0000, Jim Logajan wrote in : Larry Dighera wrote: http://www.teslamotors.com/ The world altitude record for propeller-driven aircraft belongs not to one powered by an internal combustion engine but by... ... a solar electric powered aircraft! Specifically the NASA Pathfinder planes: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/n...-034-DFRC.html "During 1998, the Pathfinder was modified into the longer-winged Pathfinder-Plus configuration. On Aug. 6, 1998, the modified aircraft was flown to a record altitude of 80,201 feet for propeller-driven aircraft on the third of a series of developmental test flights from PMRF on Kaua'i." Yes. We have discussed MacCready's work here in the past. It was unmanned, and structurally questionable in the name of extreme weight reduction, but it was able to remain aloft for extended periods, IIRC. It's really cool looking also. It was hung a week or 3 ago at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian (Chantilly, VA - Dulles Airport) Margy MacCready and AeroVironment produced an(other) aircraft that represents a milestone in aviation. It certainly deserves a hallowed place in aviation history. http://www.avinc.com/uav_lab_project_detail.php?id=40 Pathfinder flew to 50,567 feet at Edwards September 12, 1995, its first trip to the stratosphere. From there, it was improved and taken to the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF), Kauai, Hawaii for test flights in 1997, where it flew to 71,504 feet on July 7, before performing a series of science missions over the Hawaiian Islands. Pathfinder Specifications: Wingspan: Pathfinder 98.4 feet (29.5 meters); Pathfinder-Plus 121 feet (36.3 meters) Length: 12 feet (3.6 meters) Wing chord: 8 feet (2.4 meters) Wing Aspect Ratio: Pathfinder -12 to 1; Pathfinder-Plus-- 15 to 1 Gross weight: Pathfinder about 560 pounds (252 kg.); Pathfinder-Plus about 700 pounds (315 kg.). Payload: Pathfinder—up to 100 pounds (45 kg.); Pathfinder-Plus up to 150 pounds (67.5 kg.) Airspeed: Approx. 17-20 mph cruise. Power: Arrays of solar cells, maximum output: Pathfinder—about 7,500 watts; Pathfinder-Plus—about 12,500 watts. Motors: Pathfinder, six electric motors; Pathfinder-Plus, eight electric motors, 1.5 kW maximum each. Endurance: About 14 to 15 hours, daylight limited with two to five hours on backup batteries. Glide ratio (power off): Pathfinder—18 to 1; Pathfinder-Plus—21 to 1. Manufacturer: AeroVironment, Inc., Monrovia, Calif. Primary materials: Carbon fiber, Nomex, Kevlar, plastic sheeting and plastic foam. Here's MacCready's latest http://www.avinc.com/uas_dev_project_detail.php?id=115 Global Observer is the latest development in High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) UAS, being the first operational configuration able to provide long-dwell stratospheric capability with global range and no latitude restrictions. Global Observer's unique combination of both extreme flight duration and stratospheric operating altitude is designed to deliver advantages in cost, capacity, coverage, flexibility, and reliability that make it a compelling complement to existing satellite, aerial and terrestrial assets. Missions Communications Relay & Remote Sensing Features High-Altitude, Long-Endurance platform (all latitude capability) Endurance/Range Over 1 week/global Payload Up to 400 lbs. for GO-1 & 1,000 lbs for GO-2 Operating Altitude 65,000 feet Expected Availability Within 2 years for U.S. government, with funding |
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