The Solar Impulse, a solar powered aircraft made its maiden flight yesterday in Switzerland. Although this is not the first solar-powered flight, it is the most ambitious project so far, with plans for an around-the-world trip in 2012!
The Impulse is a 1,600 kg aircraft with a wingspan of 63.4 metres. It is powered by about 12,000 solar cells, installed on the wings of the airplane. The electricity generated is stored in lithium ion batteries, and power four 10-hp motors, that give the plane a speed of about 50-70 kmph. The maiden flight lasted about 90 minutes, with the plane reaching an altitude of 5,500 feet. Powered by sunlight, the 'plane uses no fossil fuel.
Compare this with a "conventional" Boeing 737 that carries over 100 passengers, cruises at 780 kmph, with a service ceiling of 37,000 feet, this may not seem much. However, if you consider the first powered flight by Wilbur and Orville Wright in 1903, the Wright 'plane flew with one pilot for 12 sec, covering a distance of 37 metres, at a speed of about 11 kmph, at an altitude of about 10 feet! We have gone a long way from the Wright brothers' "Flyer 1" to the Boeings of today!
The "Solar Impulse" (and other similar efforts before it) are the first steps towards developing feasible, solar-powered travel. They are certainly path-breaking, and their achievements must be recognized as pioneering efforts towards a new way of travel and life, one that is less polluting, and not dependent on burning fossil fuels. Solar cell technology certainly has a long way to go before it becomes a part of our lives as petrol and other fossil fuels have, but such efforts are proof that we will, eventually get there. Hopefully, the near future will see advancements in solar cell technology, making its widespread application technologically feasible, and more economical too.
Visit the site www.solarimpulse.com for more details on the flight, and lots of interesting information!
