Solar Impulse Is All Set To Fly the Indian Skies
- The ‘Signature in the Skies‘ developed in Switzerland, is all set to visit India in the month of April 2015. Aviation enthusiasts are eagerly waiting for this development and experience.
- The flying laboratory will be visiting at least two locations in India, out of which one of them will be on the east coast, before leaving for Myanmar.
- Right now they are looking for Indian partners to collaborate on this Endeavour.
- Solar Impulse Endeavour, launched by Mr. Borschberg and Bertrand Piccard, is the first airplane of its kind, which will be able to fly day and night without fueling. This aircraft has already achieved many record breaking flights across the Mediterranean Sea, Europe, and the United States.
- A total of 12000 solar cells are used for powering this 2,740 kg aircraft. It has been designed with 144 ribs carefully separated 50 cm apart from each other, and it flies at the speed of 70 Kmph.
- The upper part of the body is made of solar panels, while ultra light fabric will give rigidity to the aircraft from below. Honeycomb sandwich panels, entirely made of carbon fiber are used on the wing spar.
- This amazing aircraft will be showcased in many countries, where it will land as stopovers.
- The first destination of this amazing flight will be India, after it starts from the Middle East. With all its stopovers, it is expected to complete the worldwide journey in three months, approximately on air for 20-25 days.
- The main goal of this is to inspire younger generation on the various possibilities and potentials that can be harnessed by this technology. With the success of using solar energy to power aircrafts, it is surely going to open new avenues of utilization on ground soon.
Exams Perspective:
- Alternative/Non conventional source of fuel
- Solar Impulse