SolarImpulse - Around The World patch.
July 15, 2015
The batteries of the solar aircraft suffered "irreversible" damage during flight between Nagoya (Japan) and Hawaii, said Wednesday the operation's press service.
Solar Impulse 2 landing in Hawaii
Solar Impulse must remain in Hawaii (USA) through early spring 2016. The batteries of the solar aircraft suffered "irreversible" damage during flight between Nagoya (Japan) and Hawaii, said Wednesday press service of the operation.
Solar Impulse must remain in Hawaii (USA) through early spring 2016. The damage to some parts of the batteries need repairs that will last "several months." Meanwhile, the Solar Impulse team will study various alternatives for better cooling or heating devices for very long flights, the statement said.
During the first ascent of the first day of the flight between Nagoya and Hawaii, the battery temperature has risen because of the high degree of slope and excess insulation. Despite efforts by the Solar Impulse team, it was not possible to reduce the temperature thereafter.
Misjudgment
The damage to the batteries are not "technical failure or technological weakness but rather a poor assessment of the mission profile and the battery cooling system. The battery temperature during ascents and descents in a tropical climate had not been planned properly, "writes Solar Impulse.
Solar Impulse 2 landed in Hawaii, exposed on the hangar of the airport
Solar Impulse has however not give up because of this problem. The solar airplane of Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg will try to complete his world tour in 2016. This delay will do nothing to change the goals of this pioneering company, the statement said.
Party Abu Dhabi on March 9, Solar Impulse 2 has accomplished so far almost 18,000 kilometers. It landed on July 3 on the island of Oahu after a Pacific crossing from Japan 8200 km.
Related article:
A battery problem grounded in Hawaii Solar Impulse 2: http://orbiterchspacenews.blogspot.ch/2015/07/a-battery-problem-grounded-in-hawaii.html
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