July 16, 2001. Copyright 2001. Graphic News. All rights reserved.

Solar flying wing aims for altitude record

LONDON, July 16, Graphic News: Helios -- a solar-powered aircraft on course to beat the world altitude record -- flew for over 10 hours on sun-power during its first test flight Saturday.

The remotely piloted craft was then switched to backup battery power for its descent, said John Hicks, program manager for the project based at Dryden Flight Research Centre near Los Angeles, California. Hicks said no problems were encountered during the 10 hours and 17 minutes it took the craft to reach a peak of 22,818m (75,194 feet).

Helios, a US$15 million, 75-metre (247-foot) flying wing is wider than a jumbo jet, but measures only 2.4 metres (eight feet) front to back. It is controlled from the ground using desktop computers.

Later this summer the craftÕs managers hope to send it up to 30,000 metres (98,500 feet), a record for an unmanned flight and more than three times higher than commercial airliners fly. 

Hicks said the craft would eventually be able to stay aloft for months at a time, acting as a Òpoor manÕs satellite,Ó providing telecommunications and digital television service in remote regions. It also can remain in one spot over the EarthÕs surface for extended periods. 

Because it does not have to stay in orbit like a satellite, the Helios can easily be brought down for maintenance and payload changes.

It could also be used to monitor fisheries and forest resources, track hurricanes, tornadoes and volcanic eruptions, and determine the readiness of crops for harvest. Because it cannot be detected by radar, it may also have military uses, Hicks said.

Helios was built by a partnership of NASA and AeroVironment Inc of California, which has produced many innovative aircraft including the human-powered Gossamer Albatross. 
/ENDS
Sources: NASA, Associated Press, Reuters