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Solar Pipe Dreams
Topic Started: Jun 27 2009, 09:41 PM (849 Views)
Scrublord
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Father Pellegrini
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Do you think it would be possible for an aircraft the size (and capacity) of a Boeing 747 to fly efficiently on solar power alone? What about a solar-powered vehicle that could break the sound barrier? Do you think that's possible?
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In the end, the best advice I could give you would be to do your project in a way that feels natural to you, rather than trying to imitate some geek with a laptop in Colorado.
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Ànraich
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L'évolution Spéculative est moi

Perhaps, but solar cells are going to definitely become way more efficient first.
We should all aspire to die surrounded by our dearest friends. Just like Julius Caesar.

"The Lord Universe said: 'The same fate I have given to all things from stones to stars, that one day they shall become naught but memories aloft upon the winds of time. From dust all was born, and to dust all shall return.' He then looked upon His greatest creation, life, and pitied them, for unlike stars and stones they would soon learn of this fate and despair in the futility of their own existence. And so the Lord Universe decided to give life two gifts to save them from this despair. The first of these gifts was the soul, that life might more readily accept their fate, and the second was fear, that they might in time learn to avoid it altogether." - Excerpt from a Chanagwan creation myth, Legends and Folklore of the Planet Ghar, collected and published by Yieju Bai'an, explorer from the Celestial Commonwealth of Qonming

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lamna
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Above the weather there is plenty of sunlight, but faster than sound? I doubt it.

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Ànraich
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It would work better if you took an airship and covered it in fabric filled with tiny solar cells. Airships may not move as fast but they carry more people and cargo and have a more comfortable environment. Plus if they do run out of power they won't fall from the sky, and crashing doesn't mean slamming into the ground going hundreds of miles an hour.
We should all aspire to die surrounded by our dearest friends. Just like Julius Caesar.

"The Lord Universe said: 'The same fate I have given to all things from stones to stars, that one day they shall become naught but memories aloft upon the winds of time. From dust all was born, and to dust all shall return.' He then looked upon His greatest creation, life, and pitied them, for unlike stars and stones they would soon learn of this fate and despair in the futility of their own existence. And so the Lord Universe decided to give life two gifts to save them from this despair. The first of these gifts was the soul, that life might more readily accept their fate, and the second was fear, that they might in time learn to avoid it altogether." - Excerpt from a Chanagwan creation myth, Legends and Folklore of the Planet Ghar, collected and published by Yieju Bai'an, explorer from the Celestial Commonwealth of Qonming

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lamna
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Airships like that could replace communication satellites if you had enougth of them. And it could be much cheaper.
Living Fossils

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34 MYH, 4 tonne dinosaur.
T.Neo
 
Are nipples or genitals necessary, lamna?
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Scrublord
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Yeah, but could they replace the Boeing 747?
My Projects:
The Neozoic Redux
Valhalla--Take Three!
The Big One



Deviantart Account: http://elsqiubbonator.deviantart.com

In the end, the best advice I could give you would be to do your project in a way that feels natural to you, rather than trying to imitate some geek with a laptop in Colorado.
--Heteromorph
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lamna
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Possibly. People don't seem to be in enough of a hurry to fly supersonic.
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34 MYH, 4 tonne dinosaur.
T.Neo
 
Are nipples or genitals necessary, lamna?
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Ànraich
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I imagine it would be more of a leisure thing than a travel thing. Like a sky cruise. But it will probably replace most oceanic shipping, as it is less risky than ocean travel (as you above the bad weather and don't have to deal with waves). And I imagine it will be cheaper as well, as airships are just balloons; gas filled bags.

But can you imagine this; sky pirates. Fuck yea.
We should all aspire to die surrounded by our dearest friends. Just like Julius Caesar.

"The Lord Universe said: 'The same fate I have given to all things from stones to stars, that one day they shall become naught but memories aloft upon the winds of time. From dust all was born, and to dust all shall return.' He then looked upon His greatest creation, life, and pitied them, for unlike stars and stones they would soon learn of this fate and despair in the futility of their own existence. And so the Lord Universe decided to give life two gifts to save them from this despair. The first of these gifts was the soul, that life might more readily accept their fate, and the second was fear, that they might in time learn to avoid it altogether." - Excerpt from a Chanagwan creation myth, Legends and Folklore of the Planet Ghar, collected and published by Yieju Bai'an, explorer from the Celestial Commonwealth of Qonming

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Scrublord
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I certainly think giant solar-powered super transporters are possible. The main barrier would be speed--as far as I know, it's just not possible to make a solar powered vehicle with the performance of an F-16 or even a Corncorde.
My Projects:
The Neozoic Redux
Valhalla--Take Three!
The Big One



Deviantart Account: http://elsqiubbonator.deviantart.com

In the end, the best advice I could give you would be to do your project in a way that feels natural to you, rather than trying to imitate some geek with a laptop in Colorado.
--Heteromorph
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Iowanic
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This, of course, raises the question....

Why hasn't airships stepped up in use?

My guess is it would have too specialized a role....

In terms of tonnage; ships would still beat airships on a cost-per-ton shipped....simply because they can't transport as much as the largest tankers.
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colddigger
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psssssst

http://www.airshipventures.com/

the problem is the same as is with many technologies, people are used to using one thing so they stay with that one thing, airships were replaced by planes and planes just stuck. Although either one is considered a luxury to me, driving is easier and you don't get F-ed over by any company -other than the car and gas companies heh-
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Iowanic
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Pssssttt II;

Did that link make any mention of amount of cargo hauled?

Airships are too slow to compete against aircraft for feight haulage that needs to be moved quick....

It moves too little at too much cost to compete against shipping.

Cruising-lining is it's one hope.....but only rich people will make a use of it.

Note: I have read of ballons being used to haul lumber from forests: so roads and such won't have to be built.
But, of course, that cost gets passed to those buying the lumber. thus; not many lumber companies are interested in utalizing the method. Again; too little hauled for too much cost ='s less profits.



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