University of Maryland Solar Gamera
Role Solar-powered aircraft
National origin United States of America
Manufacturer University of Maryland
Designer A. James Clark School of Engineering students
First flight August 26, 2016
Status First flight completed
Number built 1
Developed from University of Maryland Gamera II

The University of Maryland Solar Gamera is a solar-powered helicopter. In August 2016, it made the first solar-powered helicopter flight.[1][2][3]

Development

The Solar Gamera, also known as the Gamera-S and the GameraS, used the structure and rotors of its predecessor, the Gamera II.[1] Components of the power train for that human-powered helicopter (pedals, cranks, pulleys, etc.) were removed, and replaced with four electric motors, each connected via gearing to one of the craft's four rotors. Four panels, each containing 40 monocrystalline silicon solar cells, were located at outboard end of the frames leading to the rotors.[1][2] Electronic controls, which incorporated an stability augmentation system, helped to ensure stable hover.[1]

Operational history

Testing commenced at College Park, Maryland in April 2015, but with no pilot aboard. Further tests were made later that year and in the Spring of 2016.[4]

On August 26, 2016, with pilot Michelle Mahon at the controls, the Solar Gamera made two flights, these being the first ever made by a piloted solar-powered helicopter. During the first flight, the helicopter hovered for 9 seconds, and attained a height of 1 ft (0.3 m).[1][2][3]

Specifications (Solar Gamera)

Data from Gamera: A Human Powered Helicopter[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Airfoil: Selig S8037
  • Empty weight: 51.3 kg (113 lb)
  • Powerplant: 4 × solar-powered electric motors , 1.2 kW (1.6 hp) each
  • Main rotor diameter: 4 × 14.4 m (47 ft 3 in)
  • Cruise speed: 0 km/h (0 mph, 0 kn)
  • Range: 0 km (0 mi, 0 nmi)
  • Endurance: 9 seconds
  • Service ceiling: 0.3 m (0.98 ft)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Nagaraj, Vengalattore T.; Chopra, Inderjit & Pines, Darryll J. (2021). Gamera: A Human Powered Helicopter – In Pursuit of an Aviation Milestone. Reston, Virginia: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc. pp. 140–142. ISBN 9781624106200.
  2. 1 2 3 SM Staff (October 10, 2016). "World's First Solar-Powered Helicopter Solar Gamera Passed First Flight". Solar Magazine. Archived from the original on October 20, 2017. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  3. 1 2 "University of Maryland Achieves First Flight of a Solar-Powered, Piloted Helicopter". Department of Aerospace Engineering. University of Maryland. September 7, 2016. Archived from the original on February 6, 2023. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  4. ↑ Gamera Solar Unveiling (YouTube video). TeamGameraHPH. June 13, 2017. Event occurs at 3:15.

Further reading

  • Jordan, S.; DeGraw, T.; Mahon, M.; Murphy, G.; Chopra, I. & Nagaraj, V.T. (2017). Development and Flight Testing of the Gamera-S Solar Powered Helicopter. AHS 73rd Annual Forum and Technology Display. Fort Worth, TX.
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