Solar-Powered Plane Flies for Nearly 83 Hours, Doubles World Record

Ariel Schwartz — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 19:34:48 +0000

DailyTech reports that defense firm QinetQ has set the unofficial world record for the longest continuous unmanned flight with the Zephyr, a British-built spy plane.

The Zephyr stayed in the air for 82 hours and 37 minutes, besting the previous record of 30 hours and 24 minutes held by Northrup Grumman’s Global Hawk.

The plane, which can be launched by hand, has a carbon fiber skeleton that weighs under 70 lbs and an 18m wingspan covered with silicon solar cells. It is powered by a lithium sulfur rechargeable battery that is twice as efficient as any other battery in the world.

Biodiesel Powers Eastern Washington Railroad Locomotive

Max Lindberg — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 02:45:36 +0000

Most railroads have shown a reluctance to use a biodiesel blend in their locomotives, but the Eastern Washington Gateway Railroad has decided to test the concept this summer.

The first biodiesel blend train pulled out of Creston last week, hauling 52 cars of wheat and 500 gallons of biodiesel in the locomotives saddlebag tanks. Officials are using a 25 percent blend of biodiesel in the tests.

The fuel is made by Columbia Bioenergy, located in Creston, which uses canola oil, restaurant grease, soy and other crops as feedstock.

Green Options » solar-powered plane

Solar-Powered Plane Flies for Nearly 83 Hours, Doubles World Record

Biodiesel Powers Eastern Washington Railroad Locomotive