Boeing’s Solar Autonomous Aircraft Can Fly Forever
IFA Comment: Fascinating
By Loukia Papadopoulos
Built with advanced solar cells and lightweight material, the novel high-altitude pseudo-satellite called Odysseus can effectively fly indefinitely powered only by clean energy.
Boeing’s Aurora Flight Services announced today the introduction of their high-altitude pseudo-satellite called Odysseus, a vessel it says is the world’s most capable solar-powered autonomous aircraft. And the claims are no joke!
Powerful solutions to tough problems
“Aurora was founded by the idea that technology and innovation can provide powerful solutions to tough problems that affect all of humankind. Odysseus was an idea born out of Daedalus that is now a real solution to advancing the important research around climate change and other atmospheric chemistry problems,” said Aurora President and CEO John Langford.
“Odysseus offers persistence like no other solar aircraft of its kind, which is why it is such a capable and necessary platform for researchers. Odysseus will indeed change the world.”
Odysseus boasts many novel and even groundbreaking capabilities. For starters, the ship is the only solar aircraft that can persistently and autonomously remain on station, enabling communication and data gathering over a specific location.
