Titan Aerospace's Solar-Powered "Satellite"

           Titan Aerospace is currently developing a high-altitude solar-powered (unmanned) plane, in which it is the world's first atmospheric "satellite" with limited applications. As Spectrum has written: "The Solara is intended to loft a payload to 20,000 meters (60,000 feet) and then keep it there for five years, running entirely on solar power. It functions a bit like a satellite except substantially cheaper and much more versatile. And, you can get it back when you're done."

            The Titan Solara 50 solar plane has a wingspan of approximately 150 feet. It has the ability to carry a payload of around 250 pounds to "atmospheric orbit" and then stay operational up there, thanks to the 3,000 solar panel cells that can produce 7 kilowatts of electricity).

Solar Impulse: Last Trip from Washington, D.C., to New York

            The ultimate goal for Solar Impulse was to fly across the globe powered solely upon the sun's rays. So far, it has accomplished many goals in the last three years: in 2010, it flew for 26 hours straight; in 2011, it flew from Belgium to Paris, France and in 2012, a prototype had completed the first intercontinental flight connecting from Europe to Africa. This year, it proposed a challenge to fly across United States from the East coast to the West. 

The itinerary featured: from San Francisco (California) to Phoenix (Arizona) to Dallas (Texas) to St. Louis (Missouri) ending in the last haul to Washington, D.C., and New York

The fourth leg from St. Louis to Washington, D.C., has been completed successfully while the trip from Washington D.C., to New York is steadily approaching. You can view updates and the schedule for the rest of the historic flight here.

There are also many videos of their stops featured here.

Recreation: Building a Solar-Powered Plane

       For those arts and crafts fans, get ready to take a new level by building your very own solar-powered plane. Instructables user jeffmazter406 have provided a step-by-step guide, along with detailed instructions and photos, in creating one, which is a similar yet mini version of the Solar Impulse plane. It also links to two Powerpoint presentations by Texas A&M University to help walk you through the procedures.
     

         This project has been constructed by Newman Smith High School students with the help of faculty in Carrollton, Texas and has been sponsored by the Texas A&M University Society of Flight Test Engineers. The team, in addition, notes that "the project is not for the beginner as it gets complicated." However, if you may feel the need to want to experience and create a solar-powered plane, click here. 

Solar Plane completes its 2nd quarter of it's cross-country flight

A solar-powered plane with its side by side propellers and the pilot named Andre Borsche along with Bertrand Piccard, the ones in charge of the project, took on a challenge of travelling cross-country  powered only by the sun. The plane had gotten airborne off the ground of California early May headed to  Phoenix, Arizona taking part in completing its 1st quarter of its travel. After it's take off from Phoenix, Arizona last Wednesday, the plane landed safely at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Texas finishing off it's 2nd trip cross country. After preparations, the plane is expected to take off from Texas to Washington, then crossing the finish line at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York. Each trip is measured to take about 20 hours with several of days for inspection at each of the cities.

Solar-Powered Plane's Cross-Country Flight

        Researchers at Moffett Air Field at NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California, announced on March 28 that Solar Impulse, an ultra-lightweight plane solely powered by solar power, is planned to fly coast-to-coast this spring. The plane is claimed to require no fuel and solely rely on solar panels and battery power.
        Two Swiss pilots of the Solar Impulse, Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg, desire to complete a flight beginning from Moffett Field to New York City. Along the way, it is planned to stop by in the following locations: Phoenix, Arizona, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Washington, D.C., and either Nashville, Tennessee, Atlanta, Georgia, or St. Louis. The plane is set to fly on May 1 and plans to land in the Big Apple in early July.
         Solar Impulse has a wingspan equivalent to a 747 jetliner, the weight of a station wagon, and the power needs of a small scooter. The solar panels across its wings harness power from the sun during the day, and lithium-polymer batteries store that energy for overnight trips. A carbon-fiber material formed in a honeycomb structure makes up the bulk of the plane, which allows for its feather-weight.
        In 2010, the plane completed a 26 overnight-hour flight and in 2012, it flew from Switzerland to Morocco with no fuel.