Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Air Models / March 2008

Wow. Thats launching something heavier than a sack of spuds. It seems
utterly unfeasible doesnt it.

D

hand launched 60lb 60ft wingspan, not April 1st yet is it?

Here's a quote:
"An unmanned solar-powered aircraft known as the "Zephyr" that soared
for 54 hours more than 50,000 feet above New Mexico may hold the record
for unmanned flight, defense research company QinetiQ announced Monday,
breaking the previous record of 30 hours, 24 minutes in a flight on July
23. Unfortunately, QinetiQ's trapezoid-shaped, ultra-thin plane may not
hold onto the record because the flight at the White Sands Missile Range
in the New Mexico desert was not witnessed by officials from the World
Air Sports Federation, which keeps and certifies records, the company
said.

Built from carbon fibers, the aircraft is 59 feet long and weighs about
66 pounds - light enough to be launched, by hand, by a team of three. It
uses paper-thin silicon panels to draw on the sun's power and stores the
surplus in lithium-sulphur batteries, which power it through the night.
QinetiQ said Britain's Ministry of Defense had contributed several
million pounds to the project, but the company declined to say how much
it cost. Possible future uses for the aircraft include surveillance and
communications."

And here are some links:
http://www.sionpower.com/pdf/QinetiQ%20and%20SION%20Zephyr%20Flight%2011-
21-06%20News%20Relea.pdf
http://media.cleantech.com/430/sion-power-s-lithium-sulfur-batteries-t
http://www.qinetiq.com/home/newsroom/news_releases_homepage/2007/3rd_quar
ter/qinetiq_s_zephyr_uav.html
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/QinetiQ_Zephyr_UAV_Exceeds_Official_Wor
ld_Record_For_Longest_Duration_Unmanned_Flight_999.html
http://peswiki.com/index.php/Directory:Lithium_Sulphur_Batteries
http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/ecotech/lis.htm

These batteries sound really good, with a charge density twice that of
Lithium-Polymer.
And very usefully thin!
I wonder when we will get them?