150 hours around the world with solar ... planes

Reckless adventurer Fyodor Konyukhov, who just circled the earth on a hot air balloon is about to have a new adventure. He is planning to fly around the world with solar planes built by Russian developers.

A new project, called Albatross , is aiming to create a solar powered aircraft that will be able to make the first round-the-world flight without stopping.
Now researchers still have to collect more data, before starting the project in 2020. The photovoltaic lab has just been launched in late October in Skolkovo, the largest technology center of the country. Russia, located in Moscow.

The world's first solar plane was built by Russians.

As part of the project, developers launched a photovoltaic laboratory, a method of converting solar energy into electrical energy. It is equipped with flexible and unique solar modules manufactured by TEEMP company based in Moscow, Russia.

Sergey Kurilov, General Manager of TEEMP said: 'These solar modules will have 22% higher efficiency than before, and are able to absorb both types of sunlight: direct and radiation '.

Flexible solar modules are installed on top and bottom surfaces of wings, roofs and fuselage. An electric heater allows to maintain proper temperature inside the aircraft during long flights at high altitudes.

Mikhail Lifshits, head of the Albatross project, said that in addition to a series of new technological solutions to realize flights around the world, photovoltaic laboratories are the most important stage in the process.

He also said: 'We still do not know how much solar energy the aircraft will be able to absorb at different latitudes and at different times of the day. And manufacturers need to calculate more accurately to design aircraft '.

This round-the-world flight will take place at an altitude of 12 to 14km, with an average speed of 210km / h. The aircraft is expected to pass the journey of 35,000km in 150 hours, with routes via Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina, Brazil and South Africa.

An estimated 80% of the flight's journey will fly over the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans.