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I'm assuming the flights were achieved mid summer when they days are longest and it can't yet operate outside this window. If this is the case, shame they don'
by hellohntoday 5y ago
I'm assuming the flights were achieved mid summer when they days are longest and it can't yet operate outside this window.
If this is the case, shame they don't just admit this up front
- alwayssmh 5y agono mention of their recent faults too... (https://www.reuters.com/article/airbus-zephyr-idUSKBN26J0NU https://www.reuters.com/article/airbus-zephyr-idUSKBN26J0NU)
- Breza 5y agoAll of this comes with a big "Work in progress" caveat. Still, this type of technology has been theorized for decades so it's nice to see Airbus making progress. Let's see if they can get it to the point of commercialization.
- phnofive 5y agoPerhaps they are aware of eatrh's axis and will move operations to the southern hemisphere? Or adjust the drone's speed to stay in sunlight?
- Arrath 5y ago> Or adjust the drone's speed to stay in sunlight? Depending on altitude, that would require an awfully fast aircraft.
- Johnny555 5y agoThey ran the 18 day flight test in September, so not the dead of winter, but also not on the longest summer days: A solar-powered aircraft has completed an 18-day test flight offering hope it could be used to create internet access for billions of unconnected people around the world...The test flight touched down in Arizona on September 13. https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/the-americas/2021/10/11/solar-powered-airbus-zephyr-completes-18-day-test-flight/ https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/the-americas/2021/10/1... Phoenix has about 12.5 hours of daylight on Sept 13th. (compared to ~14.5 hours on June 21st, ~10 hours on Dec 21st.