How It Works-Amazing Vehicles

© Corbis; Gett y; A lamy

ESA’s Solar Orbiter w ill be getting a ridiculous boost of solar

energy when it takes off in 2017 as its mission is to get closer to

the Sun than any probe has before, in order to take incredible

pictures of the star. With its 3.1-metre x 2.4-metre (10.2-foot x

7.9-foot) sunshield, this craft will travel just 42 million

kilometres (26 million miles) away from the Sun to take

high-resolution images and perform experiments. It has been

rigorously tested, as it will experience temperatures ranging

from 520 degrees Celsius (968 degrees Fahrenheit) to -170

degrees Celsius (-274 degrees Fahrenheit). Its aim is to help

scientists lean more about the inner heliosphere and how solar

activ it y affects it, answering questions about solar w inds,

coronal magnetic fi elds and solar eruptions.

Close up power

Speed

The plane can travel at a top

speed of 140km/h (87mph).

Airframe

It is constructed from

incredibly strong, yet

lightweight materials such

as carbon fibre in a

honeycomb pattern.

Motors

There are four electric 13kW

(17.5hp) engines, each

roughly about the same

power as a small motorbike.

Propellers

These propellers provide the

main thrust behind the

plane, rotating at different

speeds to steer.

Panels

There are a total of 17,000

solar panels, each drawing

in energy from the Sun to

power the plane and charge

the batteries.

Despite the massive

wingspan, the Solar Impulse

weighs about the same as

t wo small cars

DID YOU KNOW? The Boeing 787 consumes 20 per cent less fuel than the similarly sized 767