Helios Solar Powered Aircraft

Compilation of test flights.

Pathfinder Solar Plane preceeded Centurion. Pathfinder turned into Pathfinder+ by removing the original center panel and replacing it with a panel that was about 48 feet in length. Centurion turned into Helios Prototype, which turned into Helios and Helios with a fuel cell. The difference between Centurion and Helios prototype was removing the center panel and adding 2 new center panels. Helios flew with 5 pods and had a full solar array. The fuel cell version was made by removing the center pod and replacing it with the fuel cell pod. That is the one at the end of the video.

• Category

  Science & Technology

[astropapi1]

Needs more struts.

[manictiger]

At least it's R&D toward the future instead of just another disgusting cog in the prison-industrial complex, military-industrial complex, pharma, food, oil, etc.

As far as I'm aware, NASA is one of the most productive, least corrupt entities in the U.S. government. Partnered with the military-industrial complex? Sure. But one of the most productive and forward-thinking organizations in the world, too. We are not currently sustainable. That means we're either dying or learning.

[manictiger]

Or just use audacity.

[AzaIndustries]

Too bad it tore itself apart =(

[imani gray]

you want a solar mig jet plenty of sun

[haugstule]

guess it would be interesting to see it hit turbulence...

[hrmarinkovic]

it probably couldn't, it was meant to fly through the night with rechargeable batteires, but it broke off after 100 KM bcs wings started flexing too much

[RoboTekno]

It's so majestic =O

[Mumbamumba]

The whole plane had to be built very lightweight to be able to fly and to show it's performance characteristics, therefore the payload is not very high. If you take a look at how much some modern satelittes weigh I'm sure it couldn't carry enough weight to replace them. But maybe in the future a plane like this can do some things that are now done by satellites, e.g. like forwarding radio signals. I also once read that they think about having some satellite jobs done by high altitude airships.

[SunJayRoy]

if that can go in low earth orbit, why not make these instead of high fuel consumption rockets