Aero Gizmo
Human Powered Flight
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It's a dream shared by anyone who has ridden a bicycle up a steep hill - human powered flight. NASA achieved this feat as part of the Daedalus project over a decade ago with the Light Eagle and Daedalus aircraft flying record breaking distances of 59km and 199km respectively. Designed and constructed by a group of students, professors, and alumni of the MIT, the goal was aircraft fly 115km (the distance that Daedalus is said to have flown when he escaped from King Minos on wings made from wax and feathers) and provide research data for the design and manufacture other high-altitude, long endurance aircraft. Read More
Airborne Giant with 150 metre wingspan
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A concept aircraft under development at Boeing's Phantom Works R&D unit, the massive Pelican would have a wingspan of more than 150 m, carry up to 1400 tons of cargo - that's equivalent to 17 M-1 main battle tanks... Read More
Aero Chute - the cheapest form of flight available
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Human flight has never been more attainable than with the Australian-designed Aerochute - the powered parachute needs less than 15 metres to become airborne, can top 70kmh and the average person can be flying solo after just a few hours of tuition. Most importantly, it is very safe to fly, being close to stall and spin proof, and should the engine stop, it simply lands like a parachute. The Aerochute DUO doesn't have a traditional fixed wing, so flying can only take place when the weather conditions are suitable. If the wind gets above 15 knots, the Aerochute can't fly, which is entirely understandable once you've seen a powered-parachute take-off.
Sailing on the Sun's Rays
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The basis of the technology isn't new, after all we've been sailing the waters of our planet for millennia, but the launch of the Cosmos 1 spacecraft later this year will represent humankind's first attempt to sail through space. Read More
NASA's Helios prototype spans new heights
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It has a wingspan longer than a Boeing 747, weighs less than 900 kg, incorporates 14 solar-powered propellers and as the highest flying propeller-powered aircraft in the world, NASA's Helios prototype is set to revolutionise air-based communications platforms and the placement of low orbit satellites... Read More
Spooky gets an upgrade
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Capable of accurately delivering a 'wall of metal' via its array of large-calibre rapid fire cannons and long-range machine guns, the AC-130U Gunship carries the most complex aircraft weapon system in the world today with over 600,000 lines of software code in its mission computers and avionics systems. Read More
Mercedes (concept) Flying Car
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In the recently released sequel to "Men in Black" (MIB II), agent Kay and agent Jay cruise the alien beat in a black 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan that not only provides a stylish ride but transforms into a space car to help hunt down the villains... Read More
The Next Step: Cars that Fly
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It would look right at home on the set of Bladerunner or the latest Star Wars film, but the Moller M400 Skycar - a versatile, economical, safe, environmentally-responsible Flying Car - is definitely for real.June 3, 2004 It would look right at home on the set of Bladerunner or the latest Star Wars film, but the Moller M400 Skycar - a versatile, economical, safe, environmentally-responsible Flying Car - is definitely for real. Opening up the next frontier in automotive personal transport, the SkyCar is a VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing) vehicle with a cruising speed of 600kmh, a range of more than 1400km, runs on almost any fuel from diesel to natural gas and achieves better fuel efficiency than many sports cars (15mpg or 19 litres per 100km). Read More
