MacCready Solar Challenger
The Solar Challenger was a solar-powered electric aircraft designed by Paul MacCready's AeroVironment. The aircraft was designed as an improvement on the Gossamer Penguin, which in turn was a solar-powered variant of the human-powered Gossamer Albatross. It was powered entirely by the photovoltaic cells on its wing and stabilizer, without even reserve batteries, and was the first such craft capable of long-distance flight. In 1981, it successfully completed a 163-mile (262 km) demonstration flight from France to England.
Solar Challenger | |
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A drawing of the Solar Challenger | |
Role | Experimental aircraft |
National origin | United States |
Manufacturer | AeroVironment |
Designer | Paul MacCready |
First flight | 6 November 1980 |
Status | Museum piece |
Number built | 1 |
Developed from | Gossamer Penguin |
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