Nový letošní rekord ve výšce dosažené pilotovaným solárním letadlem je 9521 metrů (experimentální bezpilotní letadlo NASA v minulosti vystoupalo do cca 30 km). Nabírání výšky je jednak samo o sobě forma akumulace energie, jednak vysoko nad mraky je solární energie plně deterministickým zdrojem energie, na který už prakticky nemá vliv počasí.

https://www.solarstratos.com/en/2025/08/solarstratos-makes-history-9521-meters-reached-using-only-solar-power/

#solar #aerospace #solarplane #solarflight #solarstratos

Zvuk teda doporučuju vypnout, ale jednak je to krásný letecký pohled na #Alpy a jednak je to působivá ukázka možností #solarplane #solarflight

Podívejte se na video „Exploring the Alps close up!“ na YouTube
https://youtu.be/S-UVL-Axqe0

3D Printed VTOL Craft Can Land And Recharge Itself, And Team Up With Other Drones

For a long time fixed wing VTOL drones were tricky to work with, but with the availability of open source flight control and autopilot software this has changed. To make experimentation even easier, [Stephen Carlson] and other researchers from the RoboWork Lab at the University of Nevada created the MiniHawk, a 3D printed VTOL aircraft for use a test bed for various research projects.

Some of these project include creating a longer wingspan aircraft by combining multiple MiniHawks in mid-flight with magnetic wing-tip mounts, or "migratory behaviors". The latter is a rather interesting idea, which involves letting the craft land in any suitable location, and recharging using wing mounted solar panels before continuing with the next leg of the mission. With this technique, the MiniHawk could operate on mission almost indefinitely without human intervention. This is a departure from some other solar planes we've seen, which attempt to recharge while flying, or even ditch batteries completely, which limits operation to sunny weather conditions.

The design is open source, with all the relevant information and files available on GitHub. This looks like a fun craft even if you don't plan on doing research with it, and [Stephen] also created an FPV specific canopy cover.

The HackadayPrize2021 is Sponsored by:

#dronehacks #thehackadayprize #solarplane #vtolardupilot

Solar Plane Is Like One Big Flying Solar Panel

Solar-powered plane concepts typically focus on high-efficiency glider-type designs, so as to make the best possible use of the limited power available from the sun. [rctestflight] wanted to try a different school of thought, instead building a relatively inefficient plane that nonetheless packed a huge amount of solar panels on board.

The plane consisted of a pizza-box style design, with a simple foam rectangular wing that was absolutely covered in solar panels. The plane was controlled with an off-the-shelf autopilot, and fitted with cheap, no-brand MPPT modules to handle charging the batteries. The plane faced difficulties in flight, most often with stability, which led to the autopilot getting the plane lost on one occasion. However, one flight was achieved with a full one hour and thirty minute duration, indicating the solar panels were helping to extend flight times beyond what was capable with batteries alone.

Further research on the ground showed that the cheap MPPT modules were wasting power, and there was more to be had. A better MPPT module was subbed in and showed that the panels could generate up to 5 amps under good conditions, while the plane only needed roughly 4.2 amps to fly. This would allow for indefinite flight in sunny conditions, though probably would not allow enough energy to be banked to fly 24 hours round the clock due to the lack of power at night.

We've followed [rctestflight]'s solar plane experiments for a while now, and can't wait to see the next iteration. Video after the break.

#greenhacks #mischacks #radiocontrol #solar #solarplane #solarpower