Try that with fossil fuels
Discussion
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-1066...
A solar powered plane manages to stay flying for 7 days non stop
Of course we all must hate this achievement as it is electrically powered so is to be hated
A solar powered plane manages to stay flying for 7 days non stop
Of course we all must hate this achievement as it is electrically powered so is to be hated
The Burt Rutan Voyager was fossil powered and flew for nine days. Unlike this solar powered plane, which was unmanned, Voyager was pretty nearly at the limit of what could have been achieved, because of it's human payload.
Solar powered planes already have the ability to carry people, and they have the ability to fly for long periods. Not yet both. It remains to be seen which will be the bigger setback. The man or the machine.
Burt Rutan also designed Space Ship One, the prototype machine that Richard Branson saw and formed Virgin Galactic to produce in revised form. The vehicle is proposed to allow horizontal take-off to space, for wealthy adventurers.
It's probably worth thinking about the idea, that current technology sets out the ultimate limit on speed and rate of acceleration for a space vehicle. I think that a human lifetime on such a platform would last longer in distance terms, than would continuous communication for the purpose of directing the spacecraft.
The real problem is not fuel. It's food. In a lot of ways, they're the same thing.
Solar powered planes already have the ability to carry people, and they have the ability to fly for long periods. Not yet both. It remains to be seen which will be the bigger setback. The man or the machine.
Burt Rutan also designed Space Ship One, the prototype machine that Richard Branson saw and formed Virgin Galactic to produce in revised form. The vehicle is proposed to allow horizontal take-off to space, for wealthy adventurers.
It's probably worth thinking about the idea, that current technology sets out the ultimate limit on speed and rate of acceleration for a space vehicle. I think that a human lifetime on such a platform would last longer in distance terms, than would continuous communication for the purpose of directing the spacecraft.
The real problem is not fuel. It's food. In a lot of ways, they're the same thing.
Edited by dilbert on Saturday 17th July 14:39
thinfourth2 said:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-1066...
A solar powered plane manages to stay flying for 7 days non stop
Of course we all must hate this achievement as it is electrically powered so is to be hated
Dick Rutan in Voyager was up in the air for over 9 days.A solar powered plane manages to stay flying for 7 days non stop
Of course we all must hate this achievement as it is electrically powered so is to be hated
That was fossil fuel powered.
So that is 2 people, 2 engines, around the world fossil fuel powered.
Although in essence it was a motor glider, a bit like this solar powered one.
Damn you for beating me!!!!!!!!!
Edited by elster on Saturday 17th July 14:33
thinfourth2 said:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-1066...
A solar powered plane manages to stay flying for 7 days non stop
Of course we all must hate this achievement as it is electrically powered so is to be hated
Shouldn't you be on some lentil munching forum somewhere? Every post I read from you is usually a tirade against the internal combustion engine and a dig at how this new technology is coming to replace it.A solar powered plane manages to stay flying for 7 days non stop
Of course we all must hate this achievement as it is electrically powered so is to be hated
This is pistonheads, where's the pistons in that plane?
I can understand you wanting to show new technology but try some tact and not starting a thread with a combative (and factually inaccurate) statement that was totally unprovoked.
How about this?
Well, this is impressive. A solar powered plane staying airborne for seven consecutive days! That must surely put the viability of solar flight a bit closer and I would think a fossil fuel vehicle wouldn't be able to match that!
There see, it's not combative, inaccurate and above all invites discussion.
What I find interesting, is that an outfit comprised of a Billionaire, and a very knowledgeable "bloke in a shed", can take on a massive government funded body like QinetiQ, and win at more difficult tasks.
Notwithstanding people still think QinetiQ won the day.
I don't understand what the UK has against space travel myself.
Notwithstanding people still think QinetiQ won the day.
I don't understand what the UK has against space travel myself.
Edited by dilbert on Saturday 17th July 14:49
Gassing Station | News, Politics & Economics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff