Project title: Solar Powered Aerial Research Vehicle

Subject Area: Enginerring/Computerscience

Project type: Experimental

Captain: Sean Bhalla

Team members: Harry Jhawer, Karan Tarleja,Anoshan Chandrakumar, Ton Quan Ve.

Grade Category: 10 - 12

Abstract: The objective was to design and test the smallest radio-controlled airplane that would fly entirely on solar power. In theory, this airplane would fly as long as there was consistent sunlight, since endurance would not be limited by fuel or battery power.
Challenge: To accomplish the task, the model had to be very light and yet large enough to support a suitable motor, radio receiver and servos, and the solar panels required for flight.
Target: We set out to build a model comparable to existing battery powered models. The target weight for these is typically 0.4g/in2 of wing area and their target propeller-thrust-to-model-weight ratio is ¼ or more. The Static thrust of the model, in bright sunlight, was measured at 53.2 g. The Thrust to Weight ratio achieved for the model was thus 0.25 and hence our objective was achieved.In conclusion, our team was able to design, construct, and successfully test a small, light-weight entirely solar-powered airplane. The wing distance from reference point was maintained at 25.6 cm after the initial trial as this balanced the plane.