Environmental News, Eco-Friendly Gadgets - FreshAirTimes.eu

Eco Factor: Unmanned aircraft powered by solar energy.

Aurora Flight Sciences has announced that the company successfully flew their latest solar powered UAV, the SunLight Eagle. The flights took place at the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Flight Test Center operated by the Physical Science Laboratory of New Mexico State University. The news came just days after the company announced the successful completion of a solar aircraft from DARPA’s Vulture Program.

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Eco Factor: Aircraft with an electric engine aims to set world record.

The SkySpark project was officially underway at a press conference in Turin. The attempt is to develop a 100% electric aircraft that could reach speeds in excess of 300km/h, thereby setting a new record. The project is supported by several private sponsors and by the local government as well.

The aircraft is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell capable of providing 65Kw of green electric power. The aircraft will be piloted by Italian astronaut Maurizio Cheli. Navigation technology for the green flier will be provided by NavSAS, which will provide accurate positioning of the plane during the record-setting attempt.

The Dark Side:

A speed of 300km/h might look like too much if you are a car owner, but it’s too little if the aircraft is ever commercialized. Moreover, the range of such an aircraft, owing to its electric engine, could be an issue that needs some technical intervention.

Via: GalileoSystem