Beyond the horizon: Skydweller Aero’s solar aircraft promises unprecedented flight by flying continuously for 90 days or longer using only the energy from the sun

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Nicknamed Skydweller after its remarkable endurance capabilities, the aircraft takes inspiration from a giant glider. Despite its impressive size, it weighs in at a surprisingly light amount – only 5,000 lbs, comparable to a Ford F-150 pickup truck. Company officials assure us this solar-powered marvel will navigate the skies at speeds of around 35 mph, cruising at altitudes reaching up to 40,000 feet, all without a single pilot on board.

The unveiling of the aircraft wasn’t just a technological showcase; it was a star-studded affair. Held on Monday, the media event drew a crowd of Mississippi’s political heavyweights, including Governor Tate Reeves himself and both of the state’s U.S. senators.

These prominent figures weren’t there simply to witness the marvel of flight. They see Skydweller Aero as a potential catalyst, attracting more tech companies to the area. Their vision is for Skydweller to join the ranks of the various innovative businesses already thriving on the vast campus of the nearby Stennis Space Center.

“It’s proving once again that innovation is happening at Stennis,” Reeves said as Nola reported. “Things are happening here that are not happening anywhere in the world.”

 While keeping details of the test flights under wraps, CEO Robert Miller did express his satisfaction, stating, „They’ve gone very well.”

Last year, Skydweller Aero, headquartered in Oklahoma City, set up shop at Stennis International Airport in Mississippi. The airport’s runway is easily visible from nearby Interstate 10 in Hancock County. This move promised a significant economic boost: a $15 million investment and the creation of at least 36 new jobs, according to the Mississippi Development Authority’s announcement last October. Skydweller Aero didn’t come empty-handed. In addition to constructing a hangar, the private company brought in a substantial investment of $40 million worth of „advanced solar-powered aircraft inventory,” as reported by the agency.

Skydweller Aero is pioneering a new generation of unmanned aerial vehicles. Their inspiration? The legendary Solar Impulse 2, the first solar-powered aircraft to successfully circle the globe. In 2019, Skydweller acquired this history-making aircraft and embarked on a project to transform it into an autonomous marvel. As reported by Aviation Week in February 2023, their efforts culminated in the successful completion of the plane’s first unmanned flight.

Last year, the historic aircraft arrived in Mississippi. Transported by a massive 747 cargo plane, it was meticulously reassembled at the Stennis International hangar for even more rigorous testing.

Leading the engineering charge is Travis Vetter, Skydweller’s chief engineer. He explains the ingenious power system – the plane’s vast upper surface is adorned with a staggering 17,000 solar cells. Throughout the day, these cells diligently collect sunlight, storing the captured energy in batteries that ultimately power the aircraft’s flight.

This innovative technology has garnered the attention of the U.S. Navy. They’ve awarded Skydweller a $5 million contract to explore the potential of unmanned solar flight, particularly for missions like patrolling vast expanses of water. CEO Robert Miller expresses optimism that this is just the beginning – he anticipates the contract expanding and the production of more of these remarkable aircraft.