National Air and Space Museum
The Solar Challenger
June 4, 1982 – September 22, 1982
On view is the Solar Challenger, the direct-powered solar aircraft that successfully flew across the English Channel July 7, 1981. The aircraft weighs some 217 pounds. Its 2.7 hp engine is powered exclusively by 16,128 photovoltaic cells. It was created by a team led by Dr. Paul MacCready of Pasadena, CA.
