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With concerns about a finite supply of fossil fuels and the environmental impacts of gas guzzling jets driving them forward, researchers are working on airplanes that will remove the carbon footprint involved with flying. Designed to operate using solar power, these machines may just be the wave of the future.

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Those who think solar-powered planes are a pipe dream need to think again. There are operational prototypes already in use. There are also other prototypes under development. Although they are far from perfected, these machines are proving there is an alternative worthy of exploration.

While it might be some time before commercial jets trade in their gasoline for solar panels, the technology is moving ahead. Examples of the prototypes out there include:

HELIOS - This solar-powered plane was created as part of NASA's ERAST program. Developed in conjunction with AeroVironment of California, the plane had its maiden flight in 2001. Although HELIOS was slow moving, slower than a bicycle, in fact, it did show promise. The plane reached a height of more than 30,000 meters and was operational using a remote control. HELIOS was the outgrowth of other NASA-backed projects for fuel efficient planes. In 1979, the Goassamer Albatross flew across the English Channel using human power and a DC battery pack. By 1998, the solar-powered Pathfinder took to the skies relying on the sun's energy and multiple DC electric motors. NASA's research into solar-powered flight is hoped to advance scientific studies into such things as volcanoes and weather. Exploration of Mars is also on the agenda.

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The Solar Impulse - This $94-million machine is under development by Bertrand and Co. The plane will be flown by the world-famous Bertrand Piccard, who made a name for himself with an around-the-world balloon flight in 1999. The Impulse has a carbon-fiber body and weighs in at a light 3,300 pounds. Its plans were unveiled during the 2005 Paris Air Show. A test flight for the 201-foot plane is anticipated soon with a target transatlantic flight set for 2011. This plane has been designed to fly for up to 36 hours at an altitude of up to 27,000 feet. If successful, the Impulse would top other solar flyers as far as efficiency goes by quite a bit. Using batteries to store solar power, it would be able to fly during both day and nighttime hours. Currently, the best solar plane can only handle about eight hours of daytime flight. To make sure the Impulse project is successful; Piccard has brought in a team of roughly 150 designers to work out the kinks.

While solar-power planes are not ready to take over at airports around the world, this technology is moving ahead. Someday, it is possible the sun will provide all the power necessary for people to trek around the world at jet speeds.

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