Solar Powered Airplane Flies At The Edge Of Space
Solar Powered Airplane Flies At The Edge Of Space
SolarStratos is the first commercial two-seater solar plane in history. The plane was recently the first manned solar plane to penetrate the stratosphere. This tandem two-seater, with a wingspan of 24 meters and a weight of 450 kilos.
Imagine yourself aboard a solar-powered plane flying in total silence at more than 75’000 feet. At this altitude you can contemplate the curvature of the planet and observe the stars during the day.
Imagine flying a solar only airplane at the edge of space
For a hundred years it was necessary to use large quantities of energy or helium to reach the stratosphere now we are going to open the way for manned solar and electric aviation on the edge of space.
SolarStratus solar airplane flys so high the pilots where astronaut suits
For weight reasons, the vessel is not be pressurised, which means the pilots must wear an astronaut’s pressurised suit during flight.
Plane and pilot are subjected to temperatures of the order -70 degrees.
THE SOLAR POWERED AIRPLANE AT A GLANCE
- Length 8.5 meters
- Wingspan 24.9 meters
- Weight 450 kg
- Autonomy more than 24 hours
- Propulsion propeller, 2.2 m, 4 blades
- Engine electrical, max. 32 kW / 2200 rpm
- Engine efficiency 90%
- Two seater in tandem
- Energy solar
- Solar cells 22 m2
- Cells efficiency 22-24%
- Battery lithium-ion, 20 kWh
About Gordon Smith
Gordon’s expertise in the area of industrial energy efficiency and alternative energy. He is an experienced electrical engineer with a Masters degree in Alternative Energy technology. He is the co-founder of several renewable energy media sites including Solar Thermal Magazine.
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