Last Flight of the Helios Prototype, 2003
Close-up telephoto from a chase aircraft of the Helios Prototype solar-electric aircraft while climbing on its last flight on June 26, 2003 shows essentially normal dihedral (upward bending) of the long proof-of-concept flying wing prior to its entering turbulent air. The Helios Prototype achieved the first of the two goals by reaching an unofficial world-record altitude of 96,863 feet and sustaining flight above 96,000 feet for more than 40 minutes. The Helios Prototype is a remotely piloted flying wing aircraft developed under NASA's Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology (ERAST) project. The two primary goals of the Helios Prototype development are to demonstrate sustained flight at an altitude near 100,000 feet and flying non-stop for at least 24 hours, including at least 14 hours above 50,000 feet.
Size: 4200px × 3360px
Photo credit: © Photo Researchers / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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