Helios Test Flight, July 15, 2001

My father lives on Kauai, and he and his friend Mike Dyer went to watch the test flight.

Mike's photos

Mike Dyer and I drove to Barking Sands this morning at 6:00 AM. We arrived early to see Flight #1 of Helios, NASA's 15 million dollar solar powered aircraft. The wing span is an impressive 247 feet and is powered by 14 propellers. The flight is to reach an altitude of 100,000 feet over 14 hours. It is due to land 14 hours after takeoff (at night). Energy from the Sun is used to power the propellers and excess energy is stored in power cells that separate water into oxygen and hydrogen. the oxygen and hydrogen are recombined for energy in the hours of darkness. [Note by Jason: I believe Helios does not yet have the electrolysis/fuel cell system Dad describes here. This system is currently being built and will be tested in 2003, according to a NASA press release.]

The takeoff was short and steep

Helios looked like an albatross made out of toilet paper.
Its wings flexed as it lifted off and gained altitude.

Helios started to lose altitude.

The giant NASA project returns to the the runway. GASP!!!!

It hits the ground and it seems that we are about to witness a catastrophe!

Helios bounces off the runway flapping like an albatross. Ripples of the impact shudder up and down the wingspan. Its extended wings actually become inverted.

Helios recovers and regains altitude.

NASA's Helios leaves Kauai at a cruising speed of 29 M.P.H.

It was an interesting day.

Jeff

Dad's photos

I hope you enjoyed the first pictures of Helios. They were taken on a digital Fuji camera for quick e-mail by Mike Dyer. He did a great job taking the pics. I went down field for the takeoff with my standard camera to get the shots below. For those that are interested, the film is Kodak Gold, ASA 200.

Helios took off from Barking Sands about 8:30 AM, Saturday. After reaching an altitude of 76,000 ft , it returned to the base approximately 2:00 AM, Sunday. The decent was more timely than predicted.