Learn About the Tiny Aircraft That Turn Sunlight Into Flight!
An Artist's Depiction of the Flyers
Post Author- Ellis Nolan
Of the five layers of Earth’s atmosphere, the mesosphere (the third layer from Earth’s surface) is a height at which traditional aircraft have so far been unable to reach. Beginning about 154,000 feet above sea level, even the highest aircraft altitude falls about 20,000 feet short. However, a newly developing technology may change this reality, and it involves aircraft that punch high above their weight.
The aircraft consist of two layers of material, one transparent, and one sunlight absorbing, sandwiched together with channels to allow air to flow between the two layers. Sunlight passes through the transparent layer and is absorbed by the second. The temperature difference between the two layers causes air to flow out of the channels, lifting the contraption up in the air.
Weighing in at less than one milligram, the devices fly by taking advantage of a phenomenon called photophoresis, the tendency of gases to flow when illuminated by sunlight. Other researchers have experimented with creating aircraft that take advantage of this principle, however, these recent creations have the best ratio of weight to carrying capability of any prototype yet. The creators believe a craft with a mere three centimeter large wing could carry up to ten milligrams of cargo, allowing for communication to the Earth’s surface as well as basic scientific tools.
Not only could these aircraft break new ground in research of the mesosphere, scientists believe they could be instrumental in surveying the skies of other worlds. Take Mars, for instance, whose atmospheric pressure is about 100 times less than Earth’s, even at its surface. Using propulsion from the sun could save precious fuel needed to make the journey to the Red Planet. Regardless, this is a fascinating new frontier for air and space exploration!
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