As the move towards greener alternatives for transportation gains momentum, companies have started looking for such substitutes in other verticals as well. Boeing, for instance, has relied totally on solar energy for its latest project, a high-altitude pseudo-satellite by the name of Odysseus. But that is not the only USP of the aircraft. Boeing claims that the Odysseus is the world's most capable solar-powered aircraft, that works autonomously and practically, forever!
Yes, you read that right. The Odysseus is meant to be an ultra-long endurance platform that is meant to act just like a satellite, providing a never-seen-before method of ¡®global research, communication, connectivity, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.¡¯
To carry out all such operations, Odysseus also claims to have the biggest payload capability (25 kg) available in solar aviation to date, and even in comparison with the projects currently under production.
Aurora
Odysseus makes use of advanced solar cells and lightweight materials for this. One look at the solar aircraft and you can deduce that it won¡¯t be having too much weight of its own. And it does not, with the company claiming it to be lighter ¡®than a smart car¡¯
Even with the persistent air time on station, Odysseus does not clog up the airspace as it flies ¡®far above the weather and other aircraft¡¯. This has also gained the technical term ¡®HALE UAV (High-Altitude, Long Endurance)¡¯ to the solar aircraft.
So how is it a better alternative to the existing practices? Considering the millions of dollars spent on putting satellites to space, Odysseus claims to replicate their work at a fraction of a cost. Another huge advantage it boasts of is its zero emissions, compared to the humongous emissions from a rocket launch.
Aurora
Of course, the use-case-scenario in comparison with the actual satellites might be limited. Then again, Odysseus can replace a good amount of satellite operations, including climate and weather research, environmental mapping, geographical mapping, communication, connectivity, emergency response, surveillance as well as intelligence.
Odysseus will takes its first flight in the Spring of 2019. Post a successful debut, the solar aircraft should be a major game changer in the industry and it won¡¯t be a huge surprise if many opt for it, instead of the conventional satellites and the associated rocket launches.