A prototype solar-powered airplane had made its first full test flight. This airplane, Solar Impulse, has wingspan similar to a super-jumbo jet but it weighs about the same as a saloon car. It took off from Swiss airfield, and witnesses say both the take-off and landing were successfully done. This project of solar-powered airplane is being led by a "round-the-world balloonist Bertrand Piccard, and he is planning to pilot the plane along with his co-funder Andre Borschberg. The wings of the plane is covered by solar cells which powers four electric motors to fly. It is so far one of the lightest airplanes ever invented, so that the plane uses as less energy as possible to fly. A night flight is planned for later this year, then a new plane will be built based on these test flight results. The pilots will try a transatlantic flight in 2012 before attempting circumnavigating the Earth.
I hope this new invention passes through the test flights well so that we have an environment-friendly plane in the future. Since the solar energy is infinite, we would not have to worry about depletion of sources of energy. However, I am a little worried if the plane would be in similar quality as the planes we have. Today, the airplanes are very fast and could be big or small. The fuel used by the airplanes are very powerful, but I'm not sure if the solar plane could have the similar power. For now, this is all I know. Therefore, I cannot judge whether it would be popular in the future. Overall, I want this invention to improve and get involved in our life.
I agree with you. This plane will not have as good of a quality as other planes that run on fuel, but considering the state that our planet is in right now, this is a huge accomplshment. I think that this plane will allow further development not only in solar planes but in all environmentally friendly things. If there is anything that we can do to reduce the amount of fossil fuels consumed, it should be done. I totally support this project and I believe that there should be further work done to make fossil fuels obsolete.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Mark. I just don't understand how the plan will run just on solar power, since it has to be sunny to charge the plane. Also, will the plane be 'recharged' on the ground, or as it is flying in the sky? Hopefully you are able to answer these questions, and I hope in the future they are able to fly planes that are Eco-friendly.
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