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Comment Re:Hybrid Planes (Score 0, Troll) 88

by IflyRC (#32840614) Attached to: Solar Plane Completes 24-Hour Flight
I'm not sure how you would get solar to work with a jet engine unless you switched over to a ducted fan type setup. A jet engine requires combustion. You would need two completely different propulsion systems on board the aircraft...and that adds weight. With the additional weight, power needs will increase, lift generation will need to increase and your stall speed increases.

Comment Re:How about winter flight (Score 1) 88

by IflyRC (#32840384) Attached to: Solar Plane Completes 24-Hour Flight
My guess would be "not very well". Its basically a glider, 193 ft wingspan is HUGE. Thats the size of an airbus A330. I'm not certain if the wingspan is needed to house the 12k plus solar panels or if the wing area is needed in order to provide extremely low wingloading while carrying an extremely heavy, large number of batteries. Granted as battery tech gets better, less will be needed to store the required energy and as solar panels become more efficient - hopefully we won't need as many to charge the batteries.

Comment Uses (Score 4, Interesting) 88

by IflyRC (#32840252) Attached to: Solar Plane Completes 24-Hour Flight
I think that this technology will show up in military drones before we'll ever see it in general aviation. It sounds great for smaller drones that can stay aloft without ever needing to refuel. Speed is also going to be a huge factor. Most drones, I would think, do not need to fly that fast as most can be launched near the location in which they need to patrol.
Space

Submission + - NASA says diplomatic ties with Muslims his role

Submitted by unode
unode writes: NASA Administrator Charles Bolden says building bridges with the Muslim world was his primary agenda as the head of the space agency raising questions about the scope of NASA's operations. Bolden's galactic diplomacy has fuelled reactions from conservatives and has left space enthusiasts wondering as to whether diplomacy falls under NASA's ambit at all.
Image

Prince Says Internet Is Over 450

Posted by samzenpus from the it-was-fun-while-it-lasted dept.
the_arrow writes "According to the artist currently known as Prince, 'The internet's completely over.' At least that what he says in an interview with the British newspaper Mirror. Quoting Prince: 'The internet's like MTV. At one time MTV was hip and suddenly it became outdated. Anyway, all these computers and digital gadgets are no good. They just fill your head with numbers and that can't be good for you.'"

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