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Seven solar powered airplanes to ensure emission free flight

Jhilik Mitra:

Currently flying by an airplane is one of the least environment-friendly modes of travel available. Aircraft combustion engines emit CO2 and other greenhouse gases, noise and particulates which contribute to climate changes, accelerate global warming and ocean acidification. However, due to the recent advances in photovoltaics, batteries and polymers, development of a revolutionary solar powered aircraft may now be feasible. Researchers and scientists are already working on the concepts of solar powered airplanes which are expected to be released in the near future. Following is a list of such solar powered airplanes for an environment-friendly, emission free flight.

1. Sunseeker by Eric Raymond

Based on construction technology, the Sunseeker II is the only manned solar airplane in the world and has stayed for more time in the air than all other manned solar planes combined. This hybrid aircraft uses battery power to take off and uses solar power to maintain flight. The design integrates solar cells into the actual wing structure which also features lithium polymer batteries. A unique teetering propeller considerably reduces vibration. Under direct sunlight the Sunseeker II flies at 40 mph, undoubtedly a slow speed by aircraft standards, making it susceptible to be hit by birds.

2. Odysseus

Solar-powered autonomous surveillance craft Odysseus by Aurora Flight Sciences is powered entirely from its solar panels and capable of flying above the earth for five years straight. The 492 foot wide wing-like structure is actually a combination of three airplanes which would be launched separately and combine once in the stratosphere. The aircraft is designed to fly at an altitude of 60,000 to 90,000 feet at speeds of 140 mph. The solar panels line the top of the plane which is capable of adjusting its shape to maximize sun exposure. Currently the Odysseus is in the conceptual stage but once functional it can aid in national and environmental security. According to researchers, the aircraft can be used for patrolling borders, observing nuclear reactor sites, monitoring storm development, the ozone layer and for environmental surveillance.

3. NASA’s Solar Flapper

The Solar Flapper concept by NASA Institute of Advanced Concepts (NIAC) explores the aspects of designing a solar powered airplane that uses flapping motion for propulsion. The aircraft would integrate airfoil, propulsion, energy generation and storage in one seamless design without any mechanical moving parts. The design uses polymeric metal-composite as the source of propulsion and control. In presence of an electric field this metal-composite deforms and returns to its original shape on its removal. Similar to the flight profile of a hawk or eagle, the propulsive force in the Solar Flapper is generated by flapping of its wings, enabling it to fly for longer periods of time.

4. VoltAir

VoltAir by EADS was introduced at the Paris Air Show in June, 2011 and is slated for a 2035 release. This aircraft which runs entirely on electricity incorporates a pair of li-ion batteries which powers a set of counter-rotating propellers located at its back. The absence of a combustion engine is expected to make this airplane considerably quieter than the current generation of planes. However the technology used in fueling the airplane relies on High-temperature Superconducting (HTS) materials which are only in their early stages of development. If it works, VoltAir is expected to have great prospects as it would be an environment-friendly mode of travel.

5. Solar Challenger

The Solar Challenger was the first solar powered aircraft capable of long distance flights. The aircraft designed by Paul MacCready’s AeroVironment, was an improvement on the Gossamer Penguin which again was a solar powered variant of the human-powered Gossamer Albatross. Solar Challenger featured photovoltaic cells on its wings and stabilizer, without incorporating any reserve batteries. In the year 1981, it successfully completed a 262 km flight from France to England. The Solar Challenger was designed to be more maneuverable and powerful than the Gossamer Penguin and also to withstand turbulence and sustained high attitude flight. It was three times heavier than the Gossamer Penguin, had a shorter wingspan and was more powerful. The Solar Challenger featured 16,128 solar cells powering two 3 HP motors. The motors operated on a common shaft and drove a controllable pitch propeller.

6. Venus

The intense heat and air pressure on the surface of planet Venus makes lander missions almost impossible. Instead, a mission flying in the atmosphere of the planet and closer to the surface would be particularly helpful for collection of a detailed amount of data. In year 2007, NASA formed a Science and Technology Definition Team (STDT) to study the concept of a flagship mission to Venus. According to Dr. Geofrey Landis from NASA’s Glenn Research Center, a small solar powered aircraft could fly continuously on the atmosphere of Venus and gather information on the planet’s surface and atmosphere with the ability to maneuver almost everywhere. Landis and his team, who have been studying and working on this concept since the year 2000, have presented their findings for Venus to NASA’s STDT. The airplane which would have to fold up to fit inside a small aeroshell would deploy from the shell after landing on the planet, unfold and glide through the atmosphere. Since the solar cells would cover the entire surface, the airplane would be powered by solar energy, not needing any fuel. The design drawn by the team features a wingspan of 9m and a length just under 7m. However a problem for the solar airplane to fly on Venus would be the wind and to keep it flying under the sun, the airplane must be designed to fly faster than the wind. It must also be capable of sustained flight at or above the wind speed. The aircraft can glide down to lower altitudes and then climb back, probing the cloud layers in between. Although Landis and his team have designed this solar powered aircraft basically to study the atmosphere of Venus, they are also considering using the aircraft for radar mission.

7. Finnair solar powered aircraft

Finnair, the largest airliner of Finland has come up with futuristic designs of aircraft and spacecraft fleet for air and space travel. These aircraft and spacecraft designs are drawn by Kauko Helavuo and Finnair has even launched a website Departure2093.com dedicated to the fleet. The Finnair A1700-2400 Cruiser which resembles a flying saucer can land and take off vertically. This futuristic aircraft which can accommodate 2400 passengers is also equipped to land on water in emergency situations. Next up is the Finnair aircraft for Everyone. This is a combination of a helicopter and a small aircraft designed for personal uses and is expected to be introduced by 2020. Electricity generating solar cells cover 85% of the aircraft’s outer surface. Finnair A600-850 designed for short-haul routes is a zero-emission aircraft. It can take off and land either along a runway or vertically. The audio-visual windows on the aircraft act as display terminals to watch television. Lastly, the Finnair Space Hotel Service Ship carries passengers from earth to Space Hotel and back. The aircraft shaped like an arrow flies passengers to the Space hotel located at an altitude of 500 km. The Space hotel takes nine hours to orbit the earth and from their rooms in the Space hotel tourists can admire the spectacular view of the surrounding space and of the earth.

Source http://www.designbuzz.com/entry/solar-powered-airplanes-ensure-emission-free-flight/
Tue, 18 Oct 2011 11:01:02 GMT
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