Do you remember Solar Impulse 2, the airplane that flew around world on solar panels, batteries and a prayer in 2016? Well more than a few prayers, it really was a miracle. US-Spanish startup Skydweller Aero purchased it in 2019 to repurpose it. Today we share Solar Impulse 2’s new orbital satellite role, another improbable dream that may also come true.
Rationale Behind Solar Impulse 2’s Orbital Satellite Role
CNN Travel shared the news on May 2022. Their writer Jacopo Prisco explained Solar Impulse 2 could act as a pseudo satellite in its new role. Therefore, it could stay aloft for perhaps a year at a time doing what satellites do. And then land gently as a butterfly and pick up another load of instruments.
Moreover, we understand electric airplanes such as Solar Impulse 2 would cost less and allow greater flexibility. They would not require launching using a rocket either, which would otherwise burn fossil fuel and inject more carbon into Earth’s atmosphere.
In addition, its longer lifespan and ease of control would make it more sustainable. It could not become space junk. It could never potentially damage Earth’s ozone layer as it met its final, fiery end reentering Earth’s atmosphere as satellites do.
Operating Solar Impulse 2 as a Pseudo Satellite
Potential applications include monitoring use of natural resources, and scouting the planet for illegal fishing and poaching. Impulse 2’s clones could do anything satellites do, and arguably better in fact.
They could make telecommunication more affordable, and speed cellular access in remote areas. They would be invaluable in search-and-rescue operations following natural disasters.
Now US-Spanish startup Skydweller Aero is modifying the design to make it pilotless during take-off and landing . We are intrigued by the idea of a virtual satellite that does not have to follow an orbit. This has so much potential!
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