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It all started in 2016, when an airplane with weird looks, covered with more than 17,000 solar panels, showed the world about the future of flight.
The plane was called “Solar Impulse 2” and was the brainchild of explorer Bertrand Piccard and engineer Bertrand Borschberg, who aimed to use renewable energy.
Three years later it was thought by Skydweller Aero to make a change to this aircraft, turning it into a satellite to protect the environment.
“A pseudo-satellite is a plane that stays up, say, indefinitely. That means 30, 60, 90 days, maybe a year. And as such, it can do just about anything you would think a satellite could do. “said Skydweller CEO Robert Miller.
Cheaper and greener:
Using an aircraft for such applications is more flexible and cheaper because satellites are expensive to build and have to be launched into orbit via a rocket, also more stable.
Recent research has found that large portions of satellites can damage the ozone layer by releasing chemicals as they burn up when they re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere, further pushing scientists toward a better path.
For months, Skydweller made changes to the Solar Impulse 2 and flew it again for the first time in November 2020. Since then, it has completed 12 test flights in the sunny weather of southeastern Spain.
“We are in the process of turning it into a drone. “The pilot is still there for safety, but we now have the ability to fly the aircraft completely autonomously.”he said.
Ups and downs are still handled by the pilot, but work is still being done to turn it on with automatic commandos.
According to CNN, Miller said the aircraft could hit the market in 2023 and in high numbers.
“It’s a real race to see if technology or regulations solve its problems first, but there is every reason to bet on technology. “It seems likely that they will reach the finish line before the government starts finding the square flag.” he further added.
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