Scientists continue to develop fuels that could make aircraft capable of operating for a long time in the air. And solar energy potential is developed to obtain the fuel efficiency of the aircraft. As reported from Engadget on Thursday, April 10, 2014, an achievement that the first aircraft has been successfully travelling around the world for 175 days, involving four pilots in the year of 1924.
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| Solar Impluse 2 being prepared for its round-the-world solar flight. (Picture from: http://www.voanews.com/) |
Currently the Switzerland crews are planning to make new breakthroughs which will fly around the world using solar energy aircraft. The plane is an updated model of a solar-powered aircraft built five years ago and flown across the United States last year.
The Solar Impulse 2 will begin test flights next month in preparation for a planned around-the-world trip next year. Pilot Andre Borschberg said he expects to take five days and five nights to travel around the world. But he said Solar Impulse 2 could stay in the air indefinitely.
The aircraft has a long wingspan, which is about 240 feet. And on this innovative aircraft mounted approximately 17 thousand solar panels. The solar panel absorbs sunlight and storing it in batteries, which is then processed into energy to fly the plane. Reportedly, the aircraft speed can only reach 88 mph.
This brand-new aircraft is not intended as a super fast plane, but its ability to be able to fly for a long time and adopt eco-friendly fuel. Hopefully, this plane can still fly for one week. Currently, the pilots are testing the solar energy aircraft in Europe and the United States. Solar energy is expected to lower the cost to the lowest level. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ENGADGET | VOA NEWS]
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