NASA has a fleet of spacecraft strategically placed throughout our heliosphere - from Parker Solar Probe at the Sun observing the very start of the solar wind, to satellites around Earth, to the farthest human-made object, Voyager, which is sending back observations on interstellar space. Mapping out this interconnected system requires a holistic study of the Sun’s influence on space, Earth and other planets. The study of the Sun and space can also teach us more about how stars contribute to the habitability of planets throughout the universe. NASA seeks knowledge of near-Earth space, because - when extreme - space weather can interfere with our communications, satellites and power grids. One of Saturn’s moons (namely Hyperion) is named Helios. Being deeply connected to the sky, Helios’ name appears in the confines of outer space quite often. This isn’t where sun god’s spacefaring ventures end, though. Studying this system not only helps us understand fundamental information about how the universe works, but also helps protect our technology and astronauts in space. It is thought that almost 5 of the observable universe is composed of Helium. This extensive, dynamic solar atmosphere surrounds the Sun, Earth, the planets, and extends far out into the solar system. Our Sun sends out a steady outpouring of particles and energy - the solar wind – as well as a constantly writhing magnetic system. Space is not, as is often believed, completely empty instead, we live in the extended atmosphere of an active star. The Science Mission Directorate Heliophysics Division studies the nature of the Sun, and how it influences the very nature of space - and, in turn, the atmospheres of planets and the technology that exists there. And tomorrow we would see if his solar-powered winged aircraft would fly.Heliophysics Fleet Diagram. Updated March 14, 2023 They also spoke of his Pterodactyl – a remote-controlled reconstruction of that ancient huge flying reptile soaring over the Mojave in the mid-1980s. There I heard talk of a man – Paul MacCready – who realized in the late 1970s da Vinci’s dream of human-powered light. The night of my arrival I went to a party celebrating next day’s launch. He wrote to me recalling his first encounter with the dreamers who believed in the idea of solar flight: “Sixteen years ago I headed out to Edwards Air Force Base in the California desert to cover the launch of the solar-powered aircraft, the Helios.
#HELIOS SOLAR FLIGHT HISTORY SERIES#
This series on solar flight seems like a perfect fit. John Perlin PV Miniseries #14: How Public Policy MattersĪ physicist and teacher, Perlin has long been a proponent or solar energy.John Perlin’s Photovoltaics Miniseries #13: Reagan Nukes Solar.Photovoltaics Miniseries #12: Jimmy Carter’s War Against PV.
Photovoltaics Miniseries #11: Nixon’s Solargate.Photovoltaics Miniseries #10: World’s First Practical Solar Cell Victim to Exigencies of Cold War.Photovoltaics Miniseries #9: Saved by Silicon – Part 2.John Perlin Miniseries #8: Photovoltaics: Saved by Silicon – Part 1.Einstein: The Father of Photovoltaics – Part 2.Einstein: The Father of Photovoltaics Part 1.Photovoltaic Dreaming: First Attempts at Commercializing PV.Photovoltaics Discovered in 1875: Interview with Author John Perlin.The Pathway to Today’s Solar Revolution: Discovering the Photosensitivity of Selenium.Author John Perlin Celebrates the Coming Year of Light.MacCready’s Gossamer Condor made history in 1977 when it flew a figure-eight course over a distance of 1.15 miles and became the first human-powered vehicle to achieve sustained, maneuverable flight.īased on his book, Perlin and I produced a 14-part CleanTechnica miniseries chronicling the development of solar photovoltaics that ran in conjunction with the UN’s 2015 International Year of Light.įor those missing info on this miniseries, here are previously published episodes: Perlin author of the book about long history of solar power’s long history, “ Let It Shine: The 6000-Year Story of Solar Energy,” was present at many of these pioneering endeavors (manned and unmanned) and met pioneers like Paul MacCready (Impulse) and Robert Bosch ( Bosch Solar Energy). I consider myself very fortunate to have worked with John Perlin, a physics professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and one of the few individuals who can trace the remarkable history of solar flight over the decades. After landing in Hawaii, the Solar Impulse team of Bertrand Piccard and Andre’ Borschberg will resume their flight in 2016 after replacing overheated batteries.
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