Solar Impulse Aircraft to Fly at Night
The Solar powered aircraft, Solar Impulse, is to attempt the next phase in its energy efficient development.
The aircraft will energize itself during the day and store the energy in its internal batteries ready for the attempt at flying at night.
The aircraft which is covered in solar panels will take off on its test flight from Switzerland.
Developed by an aptly named Mr. Piccard the ultimate goal of the solar Impulse is to make long distance solar powered flight a reality. If enough energy can be stored and not used by day time flight then it could be possible to fly for 24 hours totally on solar energy.
Once the tests flights are completed the aircraft hopes to make a nonstop flight across the Atlantic ocean followed by longer round the world flights.
The Solar Impulse is small and not designed to carry passengers or cargo.
Solar energy is low power and using it directly to power aircraft, ship, vehicles or energy hungry devices currently cannot supply enough energy in real time. The Solar Impulse is highly efficient both in design of its airframe and in it`s engines.
Certainly in a few years the efficiency of solar cells is going to improve and this means more real time energy to drive more heavier vehicles.
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