3 ms·
No. Not enough ratio of surface area to volume. One of the reasons these systems (and their insect inspirations) can fly so nimbly, while a jumbo jet or elepha
by LeifCarrotson 8y ago
No. Not enough ratio of surface area to volume.
One of the reasons these systems (and their insect inspirations) can fly so nimbly, while a jumbo jet or elephant is more plodding in comparison, is the "cube/square law" - an object increases in weight much more quickly than it increases in area, and it in reases in area much more quickly than it increases in length.
You can get a decent ratio of volume (weight and chemical power storage) to surface area and heat dissipation/respiratory potential with tiny systems. If you want a lot of area (solar power insolation), you need to go bigger and slower.