Airbus's Zephyr Solar Plane - Big News
Record Breaking, Solar Powered Plane with First Launch Base in Australia Source: Airbus Zephyr Ready for Takeoff: Is It a Plane or Satellite? Airbus's Zephyr S HAPS (Solar High Altitude Pseudo Satellite) is a solar plane worth watching. It has set an all time record by staying aloft for more than 25 days. The flight was over Arizona in late summer 2018. It soared to 70,000 feet, which is well above most clouds and aircraft. It now has a site in Wyndham, Western Australia as a flight base to launch into the stratosphere. It will fill a gap to provide persistent, local satellite services. Specs The wing span is 82 feet. It's a solar powered UAV and weighs only 165 pounds. The low weight along with a unique power management system help it consume a lot less energy. Despite the fact that it's solar powered, it keeps its elevation all night. No other solar-powered plane can do that. For more stories on new aviation and travel innovation, check out this ama