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2
Intercontinental Solar Powered Flight
Started by aspen, Jun 05 2012 05:53 PM
22 replies to this topic
#2
Posted 06 June 2012 - 06:58 AM
That's absolutely amazing! Must of been slightly frightening for the pilot flying this beast of a machine. None the less, it just goes to show that anything's possible as long as people allow it to happen. Who ever thought we'd be at a point where a plane is ran off solar power energy and can make intercontinental flights? I surely didn't think about this happening. An amazing new step in alternative energy.
#3
Posted 06 June 2012 - 02:02 PM
I would have hated to have been the pilot knowing that I was relying on the suns power. However, with a jet of this size it was probably easy to glide if you had any serious issues. Still, I would hate to be the pilot of a plane like this one on the first trip!
#5
Posted 08 June 2012 - 02:05 PM
That is really amazing! It makes me think of how our ancestors felt when these new fangled things like cars and airplanes came out. It is all a novelty at first. But, you can never predict when the next big innovation will come.
I imagine they were fairly certain the power would hold. It would have been too risky otherwise.
I imagine they were fairly certain the power would hold. It would have been too risky otherwise.
#6
Posted 09 June 2012 - 04:15 AM
FamilyTreeClimber, on 08 June 2012 - 02:05 PM, said:
That is really amazing! It makes me think of how our ancestors felt when these new fangled things like cars and airplanes came out. It is all a novelty at first. But, you can never predict when the next big innovation will come.
I imagine they were fairly certain the power would hold. It would have been too risky otherwise.
I imagine they were fairly certain the power would hold. It would have been too risky otherwise.
#8
Posted 04 May 2013 - 02:01 PM
JBMedia, on 06 June 2012 - 06:58 AM, said:
Who ever thought we'd be at a point where a plane is ran off solar power energy and can make intercontinental flights?
But just maybe a tad disingenuous.
I've been around Spain quite a bit, mostly on business.
One time I took the family and we stayed with friends on the south coast. From there, around Tarifa,further south than Gib, you can see the coast of Morocco in north Africa. Intercontinental certainly. But within visible range.
I've since been to Morocco and you can see the same mountain range from the other continent.
I'm not denigrating the achievement. That's excellent.
The intercontinental, whilst correct, is in my view, unnecessary hype.
#9
Posted 05 May 2013 - 03:39 AM
Perhaps you missed the above post? They're flying across America now. We shouldn't get hung up on words-
this is showing that solar flight is possible.
Without fossil fuels.
http://abcnews.go.co...16#.UYZEWaLvuSo
And wasn't it Picard that said "Make it so."
Although this one spells it Piccard. 
Also-
From Eds blog.
http://www.altenergy...ays-shine-r1566
this is showing that solar flight is possible.
Without fossil fuels.
http://abcnews.go.co...16#.UYZEWaLvuSo
And wasn't it Picard that said "Make it so."
Although this one spells it Piccard. Also-
From Eds blog.
http://www.altenergy...ays-shine-r1566
#10
Posted 05 May 2013 - 06:11 AM
Shortpoet-GTD, on 05 May 2013 - 03:39 AM, said:
Perhaps you missed the above post? They're flying across America now. We shouldn't get hung up on words-
this is showing that solar flight is possible.
this is showing that solar flight is possible.
In fact I said it was impressive.
Just that calling it intercontinental seems to me to be a tad journalistic.
#11
Posted 05 May 2013 - 09:12 AM
Besoeker, on 04 May 2013 - 02:01 PM, said:
Impressive and certainly intercontinental.
But just maybe a tad disingenuous.
I've been around Spain quite a bit, mostly on business.
One time I took the family and we stayed with friends on the south coast. From there, around Tarifa,further south than Gib, you can see the coast of Morocco in north Africa. Intercontinental certainly. But within visible range.
I've since been to Morocco and you can see the same mountain range from the other continent.
I'm not denigrating the achievement. That's excellent.
The intercontinental, whilst correct, is in my view, unnecessary hype.
But just maybe a tad disingenuous.
I've been around Spain quite a bit, mostly on business.
One time I took the family and we stayed with friends on the south coast. From there, around Tarifa,further south than Gib, you can see the coast of Morocco in north Africa. Intercontinental certainly. But within visible range.
I've since been to Morocco and you can see the same mountain range from the other continent.
I'm not denigrating the achievement. That's excellent.
The intercontinental, whilst correct, is in my view, unnecessary hype.
Besoeker, on 05 May 2013 - 06:11 AM, said:
I'm not at all disputing that it's possible.
In fact I said it was impressive.
Just that calling it intercontinental seems to me to be a tad journalistic.
In fact I said it was impressive.
Just that calling it intercontinental seems to me to be a tad journalistic.
I'm sure you British have something to be proud of too.
#12
Posted 05 May 2013 - 10:49 AM
eds, on 05 May 2013 - 09:12 AM, said:
Don't be JEALOUS
eds, on 05 May 2013 - 09:12 AM, said:
I'm sure you British have something to be proud of too.
#13
Posted 05 May 2013 - 11:52 AM
Besoeker, on 05 May 2013 - 10:49 AM, said:
Jealous? Where did you get that from I wonder?
. . . that seriously undermines what you say,
. . . which is really unfortunate.
Besoeker, on 05 May 2013 - 10:49 AM, said:
Not just something. Lots.
. . . with vague irritating comments, which are often used by Trolls,
. . . for plausible deniability.
Are you a TROLL?
#14
Posted 05 May 2013 - 12:32 PM
eds, on 05 May 2013 - 11:52 AM, said:
From the frequent condescending attitude you post with,
. . . that seriously undermines what you say,
. . . which is really unfortunate.
. . . that seriously undermines what you say,
. . . which is really unfortunate.
If you can cite where you think I did so. I'll review the content.
eds, on 05 May 2013 - 11:52 AM, said:
And the lack of positive and specific content,
I even provided a curve for insolation under ideal conditions based on my own calculations.
eds, on 05 May 2013 - 11:52 AM, said:
with vague irritating comments, which are often used by Trolls,
. . . for plausible deniability.
. . . for plausible deniability.
#15
Posted 05 May 2013 - 01:10 PM
Trolls never take responsibility for what they say or do,
. . . it's always the other person who has misunderstood them.
They also answer questions, with a question, or ignore a question completely.
But the one thing a Troll can't do, is be an open, caring, and sharing person.
. . . That is too boring, they must revert to their natural habit of irritating others.
. . . it's always the other person who has misunderstood them.
They also answer questions, with a question, or ignore a question completely.
But the one thing a Troll can't do, is be an open, caring, and sharing person.
. . . That is too boring, they must revert to their natural habit of irritating others.
#16
Posted 05 May 2013 - 08:21 PM
eds, on 05 May 2013 - 01:10 PM, said:
Trolls never take responsibility for what they say or do,
. . . it's always the other person who has misunderstood them.
They also answer questions, with a question, or ignore a question completely.
But the one thing a Troll can't do, is be an open, caring, and sharing person.
. . . That is too boring, they must revert to their natural habit of irritating others.
. . . it's always the other person who has misunderstood them.
They also answer questions, with a question, or ignore a question completely.
But the one thing a Troll can't do, is be an open, caring, and sharing person.
. . . That is too boring, they must revert to their natural habit of irritating others.
And I still think that the solar powered flight acrass the Straits was impressive.
I think equally impressive was the leg of the flight from Switzerland to Madrid.
Don't you?
#17
Posted 06 May 2013 - 08:25 AM
I think your an intelligent and articulate individual.
As to getting back on subject, when I was a child,
. . . we had to shovel coal into a furnace to keep warm in the winter.
. . . Carry heavy cans of kerosine up 4 flights of stairs, to fuel the stove and
. . . burned gas lights and candles to see at night.
After the Depression and World War II things got better,
. . . until in 1974, when the first energy crisis occurred,
. . . many people first thought about renewable energy.
But it was too expensive and too impractical.
. . . I pictured the windmills of Holland with all their moving parts and laughed.
. . . but solar really intrigued me.
The problem was, it was too expensive to buy, store and
. . . too inefficient to produce very much practical power.
Every energy crisis since then, my thoughts returned to Solar.
When astronauts went up in space and
. . . satellites needed power, solar cells were made more efficient to power them,
. . . but, still too expensive for everyone else to afford, and
. . . panel sizes were too large to be placed on anything smaller than a roof.
It has been almost 40 years of frustration, burning gas, oil and propane,
. . . to power a lifestyle, that I had always hoped, could be powered without burning things.
Even in just a few years ago, everyone thought Nuclear power plants were the only practical answer and
. . . renewable energy was laughed at as only useful for children's toys and outdoor decoration,
. . . solar on roofs or on small airplanes were only for the rich to play with, but not really practical,
. . . for 24/7 use.
Now, we have countries moving towards renewable energy and distributed energy
. . . bringing the cost of solar down, with smaller, lighter and more efficient panels.
These new panels are allowing Solar Lighter-than-air ships, and Solar Impulse
. . . flying in both Canada and the USA now, to be the next stage in
. . . smaller, lighter, cheaper and more efficient solar.
The 3rd world countries seem to be taking to renewable energy like cellphones, charging bicycles,
. . . Solar powered schools faster than we are in the USA, because we have other sources of power
. . . readily available to us.
I expect to purchase a solar generator with storage soon, to take care of power failures to the grid,
. . . that occur every so often, caused by Ice storms, that knock out the whole state of New Hampshire.
Then power the well water pump and offset electrical energy cost,
. . . and have changed to all electric lawn mower, leaf blower, snow-thrower, chain saw and
. . . outdoor lighting to LED.
Next replace the hot water Oil furnace and Propane stove.
I do think that flying a Solar powered airplane during the daytime is impressive,
. . . but am much more impressed when it is able to fly during the daytime and at night.
This is an example of being open and sharing,
. . . caring comes with trust, and that has to be earned.
As to getting back on subject, when I was a child,
. . . we had to shovel coal into a furnace to keep warm in the winter.
. . . Carry heavy cans of kerosine up 4 flights of stairs, to fuel the stove and
. . . burned gas lights and candles to see at night.
After the Depression and World War II things got better,
. . . until in 1974, when the first energy crisis occurred,
. . . many people first thought about renewable energy.
But it was too expensive and too impractical.
. . . I pictured the windmills of Holland with all their moving parts and laughed.
. . . but solar really intrigued me.
The problem was, it was too expensive to buy, store and
. . . too inefficient to produce very much practical power.
Every energy crisis since then, my thoughts returned to Solar.
When astronauts went up in space and
. . . satellites needed power, solar cells were made more efficient to power them,
. . . but, still too expensive for everyone else to afford, and
. . . panel sizes were too large to be placed on anything smaller than a roof.
It has been almost 40 years of frustration, burning gas, oil and propane,
. . . to power a lifestyle, that I had always hoped, could be powered without burning things.
Even in just a few years ago, everyone thought Nuclear power plants were the only practical answer and
. . . renewable energy was laughed at as only useful for children's toys and outdoor decoration,
. . . solar on roofs or on small airplanes were only for the rich to play with, but not really practical,
. . . for 24/7 use.
Now, we have countries moving towards renewable energy and distributed energy
. . . bringing the cost of solar down, with smaller, lighter and more efficient panels.
These new panels are allowing Solar Lighter-than-air ships, and Solar Impulse
. . . flying in both Canada and the USA now, to be the next stage in
. . . smaller, lighter, cheaper and more efficient solar.
The 3rd world countries seem to be taking to renewable energy like cellphones, charging bicycles,
. . . Solar powered schools faster than we are in the USA, because we have other sources of power
. . . readily available to us.
I expect to purchase a solar generator with storage soon, to take care of power failures to the grid,
. . . that occur every so often, caused by Ice storms, that knock out the whole state of New Hampshire.
Then power the well water pump and offset electrical energy cost,
. . . and have changed to all electric lawn mower, leaf blower, snow-thrower, chain saw and
. . . outdoor lighting to LED.
Next replace the hot water Oil furnace and Propane stove.
I do think that flying a Solar powered airplane during the daytime is impressive,
. . . but am much more impressed when it is able to fly during the daytime and at night.
This is an example of being open and sharing,
. . . caring comes with trust, and that has to be earned.
#18
Posted 06 May 2013 - 09:25 AM
eds, on 06 May 2013 - 08:25 AM, said:
I think your an intelligent and articulate individual.
eds, on 06 May 2013 - 08:25 AM, said:
As to getting back on subject, when I was a child,
. . . we had to shovel coal into a furnace to keep warm in the winter.
. . . Carry heavy cans of kerosine up 4 flights of stairs, to fuel the stove and
. . . burned gas lights and candles to see at night.
. . . we had to shovel coal into a furnace to keep warm in the winter.
. . . Carry heavy cans of kerosine up 4 flights of stairs, to fuel the stove and
. . . burned gas lights and candles to see at night.
eds, on 06 May 2013 - 08:25 AM, said:
Even in just a few years ago, everyone thought Nuclear power plants were the only practical answer and
. . . renewable energy was laughed at as only useful for children's toys and outdoor decoration,
. . . solar on roofs or on small airplanes were only for the rich to play with, but not really practical,
. . . for 24/7 use.
. . . renewable energy was laughed at as only useful for children's toys and outdoor decoration,
. . . solar on roofs or on small airplanes were only for the rich to play with, but not really practical,
. . . for 24/7 use.
I have since designed, manufactured, and supplied a lot of systems based on reducing electrical consumption.
On this forum I've shared what I know and included my calculations.
Is that not open and sharing?
#20
Posted 06 May 2013 - 12:38 PM
eds, on 06 May 2013 - 11:29 AM, said:
I think what is telling is that after posting almost 100 times,
. . . you haven't made a "Friend" yet?
I will be your friend.
. . . you haven't made a "Friend" yet?
I will be your friend.
A bit of background about me that maybe some have picked up on.....
I'm an electrical engineer by profession. That was my first degree and I picked up a couple of others along the way. Stuff happens.
To that extent, I suppose I'm reasonably well qualified to discuss electrical energy generation.
I try to do so objectively. Maybe it sometimes it isn't seen that way. That's life.
I guess if you post something that challenges the perceptions of others it just might not be received well.
I can live with that.
I'm close to seventy years old. Have a full head of hair* and all my teeth.
*My oldest grand girl calls it grey..I tell her it's silver.....ok....
Mrs B dotes on the little five year old princess and she is truly a lovely child.
Last time she was here, about her fifth birthday, she wanted a horse with button eyes.
Mrs B stepped up to the plate.
Thus Thermal was born.
Slightly more seriously I just try to post facts. I suppose that sometimes the reality might not sit comfortably with others.
But I can't change facts however much I'd like them to be otherwise.
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