Fri, Mar 05, 2010
Wing's Upper Surface Is Covered With Advanced Solar Cells
Aurora Flight Sciences has completed the fabrication and
initial tests of an advanced wing design that the company says
could revolutionize solar-powered aircraft.
The test wing has a span of 22 feet and a chord of 15 feet. It
is built entirely of advanced composite materials and lightweight
plastics. Its upper surface is covered with advanced solar cells,
which convert sunlight into electricity that would be used to power
the aircraft and its payloads.
"Aurora's interest in solar-powered aircraft dates from the
earliest days of the company," said Aurora CEO John Langford. "Our
very first externally funded study, in 1989, was for a
solar-powered version of the Daedalus human-powered aircraft.
Today's designs are for much larger aircraft - literally hundreds
of feet in wingspan. The idea of this test panel was to develop and
validate designs and manufacturing techniques. Doing this is
essential for the accurate planning of any future solar aircraft
development program."
In 2008, Aurora was selected as a contractor by DARPA for Phase
1 of the "Vulture" ultra-long endurance aircraft program. Aurora's
design, called "Odysseus" uses a unique variable geometry design
known as the "Z-wing".
The large solar test panel was privately funded by Aurora as an
adjunct to Vulture. In addition to the test panel, Aurora has
funded the development and flight test of the SunLight Eagle, a 114
foot wingspan solar UAV which made its first flights in the spring
of 2009.
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