5 bulbs enough to 'run' the plane

Of course, it does not have to be mounted that it takes off, but the fuel cell system of the aircraft produces only 500 watts, the equivalent of electricity to light up five lights. It is the largest hydrogen-powered drones that have been successfully tested in the United States.

The aircraft has a wingspan of 6.7 meters. " It surprised many people, " said Adam Broughton, a research engineer at the Georgia Institute of Technology's Aerospace Systems Design Laboratory. " 500W is too much for a light bulb, but not with the propulsion system of a plane of this size ."

The Georgia Institute of Technology's fuel cell powered flight test aircraft. (Photo: LiveScience)

Broughton and his colleagues used innovative ways to remove the excess weight of the aircraft, as well as reduce drag. They also minimize the components on the plane to fit in a smaller frame. For example, the hydrogen tank was replaced by a gun-shaped device.

The aircraft reached a height of 3.6 meters and hovered in the air for a minute.

Fuel cells generate electricity by converting hydrogen and oxygen into water. The benefit of this technology is that it does not produce pollutants. However, fuel cells do not produce enough energy to propel larger planes. Therefore, they are considered the solution to smaller and slower flying vehicles such as unmanned aerial vehicles. These will replace costly satellites in tracking hurricanes, coast patrols or military missions.

T. An