Fly on the wings of the sun - a study of solar-powered aircraft

Journal Article · Sat Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1985 · Lockheed Horiz.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5702310

Hall, D W

Solar High Altitude Powered Platform (Solar HAPP) aircraft are unmanned remote sensing vehicles designed for cruises lasting up to one year at 20-km altitude, while carrying up to 250 pounds of cameras and electrooptic sensors in an underslung payload pod. It is anticipated that real time IR and UV images of earth features may be more inexpensively and accurately obtained by this means than by the conventional geosynchronous earth resources satellites. Solar HAPPs, with wing spans of over 300 ft and weights of only 2000 lb, require ultralight composite structures with external wire bracing. Solar cells will cover both sides of the vertical wing stabilizers and wing tips, which hinge up in daytime to capture the maximum amount of sunlight. A 15-hp electric propulsion unit drives a low-rpm, large diameter propeller; power will be derived from the solar cells diurnally, and from hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells nocturnally. The fuel gases will be generated in a water electrolyzer during the day by excess solar cell output.

• Research Organization: Lockheed Missiles and Space Co., Inc., Sunnyvale, CA
• OSTI ID: 5702310
• Journal Information: Lockheed Horiz.; (United States), Journal Name: Lockheed Horiz.; (United States)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
AIRCRAFT
ELECTRIC MOTORS
POWER SUPPLIES
DESIGN
ENERGY STORAGE
FUEL CELLS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
MOTORS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
STORAGE
330300* - Advanced Propulsion Systems- Electric-Powered Systems