Posted on: Thursday, June 26, 2003

NASA aircraft to test fuel cell in flight today

By Jan TenBruggencate
Advertiser Science Writer

MANA, Kaua'i — NASA officials hope to launch the Helios solar plane this morning for a 20-hour flight to test an experimental fuel-cell power system.

In a flight June 7, leaks in coolant and compressed air lines forced an early landing and the fuel cell was not used.

Helios is a flying wing with 10 electric motors, each outfitted with a propeller. The 247-foot wing is covered with solar photovoltaic cells. The cells provide enough electricity to allow the plane to take off, gain altitude and remain aloft as long as the sun is shining.

The plane is outfitted for this summer's experimental flights with a fuel cell that is provided with hydrogen from two tanks slung near the ends of the wing. When the hydrogen is combined with oxygen from the atmosphere, the fuel cell produces electricity to run the motors.

The main objective of today's flight is to show that the fuel cell can function properly at an altitude of 50,000 feet. It is designed to produce 18.5 kilowatts.

Helios was built and is flown by the firm Aerovironment, a contractor to NASA's Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology project.

Today's flight should lead to a 40-hour flight later this summer. The long-term goal for Helios is to be able to stay aloft day and night, storing enough fuel-cell fuel during the day to maintain altitude at night.