In an effort to redefine the limits of renewable clean energy, a Swiss research group revealed their solar powered aircraft successfully completed an overnight flight Thursday thanks to its ability to store energy gathered during daylight hours.
The four-engine, glider-like Solar Impulse, whose wingspan greatly exceeds its fuselage length for maximum lift, took off from Switzerland's Payerne airbase early Wednesday and returned at dawn Thursday. Pilot Andre Borschberg flew the craft to an altitude of 8,654 meters while achieving a top ground speed of 68 knots.
"It was unbelievable; success better than we expected," Borschberg, a Swiss air force veteran announced. "We almost thought to make it longer, but we demonstrated what we wanted to demonstrate so they made me come back," he said.
Solar Impulse features 12,000 solar panel designed to capture solar energy. Its gangly, 63.4 meter wingspan and relatively light 3,500 lb airframe help it to soar with minimal power requirements.
Organizers said the project shows the potential of solar energy and other reusable sources of power. "This is a highly symbolic moment," said Bertrand Piccard, initiator and president of Solar Impulse, in a statement. "Flying by night using solely solar power is a stunning manifestation of the potential that clean technologies offer today to reduce the dependency of our society on fossil fuels. We are on the verge of perpetual flight" Piccard said.
The project plans to begin construction of a second solar-powered aircraft, which will be tasked with flying across the Atlantic using only the sun's energy. A group of commercial sponsors, including Belgian chemicals producer Solvay, watchmaker Omega, and Deutsche Bank have put up about $95 million to help fund the effort.
The Solar Impulse is a prototype for an aircraft that its creators hope will carry out its first circumnavigation of the globe in 2012. However, one thing at a time.The next milestone will be crossing the Atlantic using a second prototype which goes into construction soon. We are one step closer to ridding ourselves of petroleum, slowing global warming and saving our planet. Congratulations for an amazing feat of engineering and technology.
Lets take a spin...I heard you picked your up today...mine will be delievered next week.[giggles]
ReplyDeleteJokes aside...this is wonderful news.
So, how are you and do you have panties on? The world wants to know.
ReplyDeleteHi cutie
ReplyDeleteGot home from work and they was the first to go...wore a dress today and he would come by and see was i sitting correctly.
ReplyDeleteWe had a family meeting tonight and you could have knock me over with a feather.
What was the meeting about??
ReplyDeleteHow you doing??? How's Brian , I know he's in a good mood.
ReplyDeleteWhat is Nana doing???
I got my money on Nana, because Nana can freeze your ass off with just a look...[giggles]
I think you have met Nana. How did you know she had evil eyes?
ReplyDeleteWhat was the meeting about and don't hold out on me? Email me if you need to.
Brian is very tired. He had a very long day with the auditors.It is a nerve wracking experience. But all the car companies do it.
ReplyDeleteWe have family meeting about different stuff to let my babies be a part of things.
ReplyDeleteJill told her daddy we was having a family meeting.
She told him she was 6 years old and a little girl and she couldn't read a big head book.
HA! Jill has her dad's number. She won't let him get away with anything. Did she put you in your place too??
ReplyDeleteI know Brian is tired ...it is a tiresome job and most auditors think they know it all and want to go over the books over and over.
ReplyDeleteI have the same eyes as Nana ...I think I'm kinda like her.
No she didn't get me this time.Dad carried them up to Sis and Sis asked her why was she carrying the big book around and sitting on it, Jill told Sis her daddy was in trouble with her, he know she can't read that big head book, Sis told her Jill you mean eeg-head and she said no my mama says daddy is a big head .
ReplyDeleteCrystal is a pretty girl and I'm glad she got her teeth fixed but that has nothing to do with her talented. I hope she keeps a level head.
ReplyDeleteJill is not going tolet him forget The War and Peace incident.
ReplyDeleteGive Brian a cup of tea with a little brandy it will make him feel more relaxed.
ReplyDeleteNow you see why you lessons with Jakey is so important.
They are plotting up on him,he laugh and said my little women is growing up .
ReplyDeleteThey all get makeovers. When they get an agent that is the first thing the agent makes them do. The only objection I had to her appearance was her hair. It always looked dirty and messy.If you have to watch someone you want them to look clean.She is a multi-talented person. She doesn't have to change herself to be accepted but she should clean up a bit.Image is everything in the music business.
ReplyDeleteAre you ready for the lake this weekend?? Boy , I know you are going to have fun and two of them in a row...you go girl.
ReplyDeleteCrystal may be the next Dolly Parton...she looks to be a dishwater blonde I just hope she stay real to herself .
ReplyDeleteWhere is Crystal from...she looks like she's from hill country ???
ReplyDeleteRadarOnline.com has the whole tape off Mel postedis worse than we heard.
ReplyDeleteI bought a truckload of food. I hope it is enough. I think I would rather stay home in the cool. It is going to be a scorcher this weekend. Canadians can get heat exhaustion very easily. We're not used to extreme heat.
ReplyDeleteMel talked about her fake boobs and he hated her, Mad Mel is a first-class ass-hole.
ReplyDeleteI understand about the weather.We are not used to a lot of snow/ice.
ReplyDeleteHell, we don't know how to drive in snow.
I hope you can find a cool spot...maybe it will be cooler on the water..
Don't let Brian get to hot okay.
Chrystal is from Elliston Ohio. She just looks hill country.
ReplyDeleteI think that kind of heat would not be good for his heart.They are advising people with very weak hearts to stay inside until the heat wave is over.
ReplyDeleteNan wants us to fly to Vegas and ride back with them...that would be next weekend I think.
ReplyDeleteI asked Gil and he said it would be nice to get in a good poker tournament,he asked me if I wanted him to make reservations he know Dad /Sis would keep the kids and we do need to get away if only for a couple of days.
You would come up here and call us all whoosies and weenies because we can't take it. It's probably like a normal day in Shreveport.
ReplyDeleteDon't take him there's alway another time...he's doing good and things are looking up and we don't want him to have a setback.
ReplyDeleteGo to vegas honey and have a ball. It sounds like such fun, especially to be there with Nan, your original 'Partner in Crime'.
ReplyDeleteIt is a normal day here...it's in the nineties and we have hit over a hundred last week.
ReplyDeleteBut we can't stand the cold/ snow either. It stay below freezing we don't come out if we don't have too.The ones that do if they fall down they can't get up.
You saw how D.C. was at a stand still this past winter.
I have got to find a way to get that tape on Starhooks. I'll contact Youtube; I always work with them.
ReplyDeleteI will tell him and let you know, it will only be for a couple of days and we will be driving back with them.
ReplyDeleteNan was my Witchy-Voodoo back up, and boy did we have fun getting paid to tell fortunes.
I bet you two had fun.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen it yet. The picture of Mel is the one you put on my post, wild.
ReplyDeleteHaven't heard from Lina in a couple of days, maybe she's working overtime...or better yet het admirer made himself known..
ReplyDeleteLina ...give you.
Go and watch a couple of shows, dance a little, and laugh a lot.
ReplyDeleteI'll hold down the fort and think of you.Have a drink for me.
I have good luck on the horses. Say my name when you roll the dice. It could be lucky for you.That's what Nana does.
I just sent you an e-mail.
ReplyDeleteI commented on SH's and I think it's worked itself out.
Lindsay is getting a new lawyer, one fresh out of law school.
I will say your name , I love rolling the dice, I play Blackjack too and I do very well , they don't know I count the cards.
ReplyDeleteCeline is having twins, I'm happy for her and hope she carry them to term.
ReplyDeleteHow's Jer, still thinking about what we was talking about???
ReplyDeleteShe wanted kids desperately. I hope she can do it.
ReplyDeleteExcuse me, the dog wants out. He's a bit early tonight.
ReplyDeleteThat's the way I'm thinking now and you can tell me if I'm right...
ReplyDeleteIncoming mail.
Well that was interesting. We stepped outside in the dark and something very big went crashing through the trees.
ReplyDeleteMan or beast??? I don't know>
ReplyDeleteYou be careful,it may have heen the deer...get you a flashlight.
ReplyDeleteDid Maxy bark???
ReplyDeleteI am so happy about the solar powered plane. I have heard of them before but this was the most successful test.It could be the beginning of a new era. No more fossil fuels ;no more pollution or toxic waste.
ReplyDeleteMaxy barked like hell and ran after it.
ReplyDeleteHe only ran about six feet though and ran back to me.
ReplyDeleteIncoming
ReplyDeleteI bet my little man is going to boss Dad and get his way.
The girls know they better behave or I will get their musty butts.
I bet Gilly can be charming and smile his way into your heart to get his way.But if he doesn't get it I believe he could show some temper.
ReplyDeleteDo you think if may have been a deer or human, Maxy always bark at things that don't belong there.
ReplyDeleteI know you have a toy store there...they have little bats ,but one and when you go outside take it with you and a flashlight.
It's not safe anywhere now,,
Incoming
Oh yes Gilly do have a temper and he's a mean little rascal...Sis says he's just like me, shit I'm not mean ...
ReplyDeleteGilly throws a fit when you put him in the car seat and he don't want that, he gave his daddy a fit because now when you put him in the car he wants to be in the front and drive.
I think it was a deer but it startled the crap out of me.
ReplyDeleteThere are no bears in those woods. The worst thing we've had back there is a few teens ,making out.
ReplyDeleteincoming
ReplyDeleteSweetie...I beleive in the here and now and all other stuff is bull-shit...
I told you I have learn a lot from you about life and it's the same thing I learned from sis...neither of you pull any punches, just straight out ...I like that.
I remembered you said deers would come into your yard...maybe it was the deer that wanted some of your herbs for a late night snack.[giggles]
ReplyDeleteAre you still using the peppers??
ReplyDeleteWe are going to start the peppers tomorrow. We are going to the farmers market and try again. We have to double the dose and I can't freeze them. They have to be very fresh.That will be almost impossible to find. Believe me I have tried every avenue up here.But I will keep trying. I want to keep my husband alive and able to function.
ReplyDeleteThey have now proved the peppers do work.
Are you going to still go or just drop off some food???
ReplyDeleteThere are places where you can but seeds, Sis is looking for the Michigan seed catalog book, but I know we will find some even if they are seeds and you have to grow them in your hidey-hole.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear they works.
Incoming
You mean to the lake?
ReplyDeleteBrian promised we would be there.I will try to keep him out of the heat as much as possible. J&P's summer place is air-conditioned. If he goes on the boat I will keep him under the canopy.
I can't stop the guy once he has made a promise. it makes him happy to be with the family.
ReplyDeleteBut I still would rather stay home.
ReplyDeleteDo you think when they tested them if they could put you on tract, I know one of us will find something...I'm betting on the seeds and who finds them first tell the other and see if we both can grow them, I know mine would be fresher, if I get them we have Fed-EX and UPS. I know you have both.
ReplyDeleteWell Jaye has A/C and he should be alright...I know he drinks plenty of liquids.
ReplyDeleteHe don't want people fussing over him and he still has a lot to do.
I think I will go to Sis and look for the book myself.
You're right about lots of liquids.Do you guys drink a lot of water and juice in the summer??
ReplyDeleteI will try to grow some if I find the seeds. I don't think I can produce the quantity he needs. I will talk to the pepper guy at the market. He orders them from Jamaica and they are pretty wilted when they get here.
If you ever grow some, I sure will get them up here by courier service.I will try to find out what they need to grow.
ReplyDeleteI know you rather stay home but go and keep him cool.
ReplyDeleteIncoming
Do you have Fed-Ex and UPS there..
ReplyDeleteI use miracle grow potting soil and spray.
Yes we drink a lot of liquids and I make tea by the gallon each day, I don't give my babies a lot of sodas...no cokes at all.
ReplyDeleteThey can have all the tea they want.
I loved the karate granny. I wish I had her energy.
ReplyDelete[GIGGLES] this will be pretty good for two part-time authors...'HUH'
ReplyDeleteincoming.
Sweetie , you would be surprise how many peppers you will get off a bush, between you and I we could supply the farmer man.
ReplyDeleteWe have Fed-ex and UPS. So that won't be a problem.
ReplyDeleteI believe anything will grow in Miracle Grow. I use the Same products as you..HA! I find that funny for some reason.
I've never grown hot peppers so I don't know a thing about them. So there are a lot on one plant???
ReplyDeleteThat is good news.
Nana would chew her up and spit her out ...Mrs. Ena made me think of Nana and how tough she is.
ReplyDeleteMrs.Ena is british/English I think, I like what you said on it.
It's after two here honey .I better get some shut-eye. I have to get up early for the farmer's market.
ReplyDeleteLet me give the new blog some thought.Wow! we will become a production company.
I hope you have a great time in Vegas. Kick up your heels. You are in your prime. It's an exciting city.Even the sex will be better....HA!
Pleasure as always...Luv ya...PIC
They will grow just like flowers and Sis had's a jalapeno and cayenne peppers that she takes into the house in the winter and they are about 5/6 years old.
ReplyDeleteYou have incoming mail...
ReplyDeleteYou think them up and I will throw them in cyber space...Ha!!
Goodnight sweetie and hope you have a great and joyful weekend I know you will enjoy the family.
GOODNITE...SWEET DREAMS..HUGS & KISSES ...PIC
Kiss the Rock...NITE