As regards manned flight, this is a dead-end technology. No-one will want to take an airline trip at 55 mph in a cramped seat with no toilet. The only way this aircraft could fly faster is to reduce the wing area, and then you also lose solar cell area and are no better off.
Its real importance is as a demonstrator for long-endurance unmanned platforms.
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I've kind of been watching this and it's a truly amazing feat.
One thing to take of note however, there were probably no vampires on the plane..
:-)
As regards manned flight, this is a dead-end technology. No-one will want to take an airline trip at 55 mph in a cramped seat with no toilet. The only way this aircraft could fly faster is to reduce the wing area, and then you also lose solar cell area and are no better off.
Its real importance is as a demonstrator for long-endurance unmanned platforms.
@David Evans Probably no one would want to fly in a solar-powered commercial aircraft anyway, even if possible.
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