Are solar-powered aircraft in our future?

“i wonder whats next?”

Anti-Gravity and perhaps even invisibility.

I realise this is in general & so feel it necessary to declare my answer is in no way meant in jest. Right that said i’d have to say, I live in England there is therefore little or no chance of a venture of this kind getting anywhere near off the ground. Sunshine, what the hell is that exactly? Although to be fair this summer hasn’t been bad at all, relatively speaking of course.

Modern genetics will soon allow us to sprout wings and fly on our own.

so flying 75 miles an hour? how is that better than driving? Did this aircraft have a payload that would make anyone think it could possibly ferry a decent amount of people from one place to another?

This technology is promising but is still a ways away. Not viable right now.

Not for passengers or cargo, but maybe as cheaper alternatives to satellites. The planes have to be extremely light, they look more like balsa model gliders than airliners.

One possible use is as broadcast platform. Solar planes flying high above the clouds and weather (even in England, ucme!) could stay aloft for months, and provide less expensive antenna coverage than satellites.

NASA’s Helios is another example.
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/news/FactSheets/FS-068-DFRC.html

Where has the jet pack gotten us in the past 40 years?

well maybe but u know they can probably make jet packs havent u seen the jetsons look at them

@ChazMaz actually the jetpack has come a LONG way

As @jaytkay points out, solar powered aircraft have a lot of potential for just lingering around and taking photos, monitoring traffic, providing recon. Badguys are able to learn the timing of satellites, whereas a solar-powered, unmanned aircraft can linger all day (and night apparently) keeping an eye on things.

@gorillapaws – I was waiting for THE MARTIN JETPACK to be brought up. So now it is an affordable and obtainable rich mans toy.

With some range. To be seen at a special event near you. :-)

@ChazMaz if I recall correctly they’re going to be like 75k, which puts it in the league of a middle-class toy (especially if several friends get together and split the cost).

Well, I guess we will see. I would love one. I can see making a business out of one.

Do not see any practicality to it. :-) Now if it was the size of a TRUE Jet Pack. With the range.

That would be sweet. Make it for under 30k. Everyone would be flying one. :-)

I failed to mention that after all that time in the air, the pilot still had 20% energy remaining to be used. the Wright Brothers had to start somewhere, so i guess you have to give credit to Switzerland, where credit is do.

To the guy in England, remember the clouds are only at certain ceilings.. once above this, its sunshine all the way. ucme.

It is a start, but we will need a drastic increase in solar cell efficiency (we are at about 20% now) to have applications for anything heavier than an ultralight plane.

I think airships got more potential. Perhaps combined with solar technology.