last updated 8th September 05
by 4ecotips.com

Around the world on solar power

Humans have now spent more than a 100 years under the spell of powered flight, regularly achieving milestones previously thought impossible and developing faster, bigger, deadlier, and more efficient aircraft in which to take to the skies.

Gizmag says the challenges show no sign of abating as the second century of aviation begins, not just in terms of sheer human endeavour, but in respect to critical questions of environmental sustainability and renewable energy.

The team that accomplished the first ever non-stop round-the-world flight in a balloon back in 1999 are embarking on a new project that will see them repeat the journey - but this time its in a solar aircraft.

Bertrand Piccard along with Andre Borschberg (an engineer and pilot and the Swiss Federal Institute for Technology (EPFL) and Brian Jones (who co-piloted on the Breitling Orbiter 3 on its record round the world flight) are aiming to complete a full night in the air during the first 36 hour solar flight during 2007 followed by ultra-long distance flights by 2009.

Design and construction of the first prototype will begin next year. The aim is to "assemble the best brains available to develop the necessary technologies to design and build an aircraft capable of staying airborne without any external help, save from the sun".

To this end scientific partner EPFL in Lausanne conducted preliminary research in several areas during 2003 including mechanics, thermodynamics, aerodynamics, electrical systems, composite materials, photovoltaic systems, energy transfer and storage and computer modeling to define the project's scope, which includes the goal of zero emissions and no use of any kind of embarked fuel whatsoever.

Stating the "Round the World" goal brings the human achievement aspect to the fore and is designed to engender enthusiasm from the public and draw wider attention to the underlying issues of ecological sustainability and renewable energy.

Solar powered aircraft are not new, but few have succeed in capturing or storing enough energy to remain airborne for long periods of time. Perhaps the most successful project to date is an aircraft under development by NASA that uses solar panels in conjunction with hydrogen fuel cells that it hopes will be useful as an airborne communications platforms and as a means of exploring the Martian atmosphere.