Solar Solar Solar Impulse 2 will take a trip around the world

About the plane on solar batteries Solar Impulse on Habré wrote several times . This plane set several records, including the time spent in the air, overcoming a certain distance without landing, and others. The plane showed itself from the best side, and there were practically no problems with it.

But the developers were not satisfied with the first version of the "solar" aircraft, and made Solar Impulse 2. This aircraft is larger than its ancestor, its wingspan is 72 meters. The weight of Solar Impulse 2 reaches 2.3 tons. The plane's mono wing is covered with 17248 solar panels, which produce energy to supply the aircraft’s electric motors. The maximum speed of the aircraft is 140 kilometers per hour, which is more than the first version (about 50 kilometers per hour).
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According to the project team, they managed to increase the energy efficiency of the aircraft, and quite significantly. Among other things, the plane is now optimized for flying in all weather conditions, including the intersection of cloud zones. In addition, Solar Impulse 2 can now cross turbulence zones, which the first version of the Solar Impulse was unable to. Theoretically, the new aircraft can be in the air for an unlimited amount of time. Practically - the pilot needs to rest (in flight, the pilot sleeps only 2 hours a day), he is “just a man”, so from time to time he has to go down from heaven to earth.

Yes, and now it is more convenient for the pilot to control the aircraft, since a comfortable seat is installed in the cabin. Previously, the pilot had to be in not very comfortable conditions all the time of the flight (and this is many hours).

As for the world tour, it will be launched in the next, 2015. The route will consist of several stages: Switzerland - India-Myanmar - China - flight over the Pacific Ocean - United States - flight over the Atlantic - Southern Europe or North Africa - Switzerland.

And here is a video showing the work on the creation of the aircraft (thanks ).



Via ap.org