THE BIRD PLANE
I know, I know, you've already seen this before but many others still haven't and for those who haven't, it's a must! Geeks are the greatest since they are mostly responsible for the technological future of 'our' tomorrow!
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NASA is looking into a small unmanned aircraft that flaps its wings for propulsion. Based on newer flexible solar panels and flexible batteries, this is more feasible.
Due to recent advances in polymers, photovoltaics, and batteries, the development of a revolutionary type of unmanned aircraft may now be feasible. This flight vehicle would integrate airfoil, propulsion, energy production, energy storage, and control into one seamless design with no conventional mechanical moving parts. The integration of these components comprises the 'Solid State' aircraft concept that has wide implication for terrestrial and planetary flight applications.
Why build a plane that flaps its wings like a bird?
But why fly like a bird? First, there's energy efficiency. Large-winged creatures like the albatross can glide great distances and circle over the same area for long periods of time. The solid-state aircraft will do the same, gliding most of the time while collecting power from the sun and flapping only to maintain altitude. Birds are extremely agile fliers, controlling their flight by subtly changing their wings' cross section, length, area, sweep, and inclination. The wings on our plane, too, would be able to adjust some of these characteristics.
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Posted by Atrueoriginall at 6/26/2008 7:54 AM 
Categories: Ohio Aerospace Institute, ecogeek, Hank Green, NASA
Categories: Ohio Aerospace Institute, ecogeek, Hank Green, NASA
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