Systems and methods are presented including solar cells or solar sheets having textured coversheets that provide increased light collection efficiency. Some embodiments include a textured solar sheet configured for installation on a surface of a UAV or on a surface of a component of a UAV. The textured solar sheet includes a plurality of solar cells and a polymer layer to which the plurality of solar cells are attached. Some embodiments include a kit for supplying solar power in a battery-powered or fuel cell powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) by incorporating flexible, textured solar cells into a component of a UAV, affixing flexible, textured solar cells to a surface of a UAV, or affixing flexible, textured solar cells to a surface of a component of a UAV. The kit also includes a power conditioning system configured to operate the solar cells within a desired power range and configured to provide power having a voltage compatible with an electrical system of the UAV.

An aircraft includes a body defining an interior compartment configured to hold at least one of a passenger and a payload, a battery system, a plurality of arms coupled to and extending from the body, and a plurality of propulsion devices configured to provide thrust to fly the aircraft. Each of the plurality of propulsion devices is coupled to a respective one of the plurality of arms. The plurality of propulsion devices are powered by the battery system. Each of the plurality of propulsion devices is selectively pivotable about at least one axis. The plurality of propulsion devices include at least one of (i) counter rotating ducted fans and (ii) ionizing electrode engines.

Aspects of the technology relate to temperature regulation for high altitude, long duration balloons, such as balloons that operate in the stratosphere for weeks, months or longer. A balloon covering overlays the balloon envelope, providing an opaque or otherwise light-reflective layer with low emissivity that blocks or reflects optical and/or infrared light. Heat from within the envelope is reflected back from the covering toward the envelope, while light from the sun is reflected back towards the environment. An active venting system is employed to draw in cooler ambient air from the external environment while expelling warmer air from within the envelope. Vent and air intake assemblies of the active venting system are actuated in view of current and/or predicted balloon conditions to regulate internal balloon temperature. This approach reduces repeated pressure changes, which can put undue stress on the balloon envelope and adversely affect the operational lifespan of the system.

The present invention provides a system configured to move a solar wing in three dimensions to increase downforce and solar panel efficiency. This is accomplished through a solar wing, a drive mechanism, a rail mechanism, and a support mechanism. These components work in conjunction to provide a lightweight and compact system configured to move and rotate a solar wing to maximize downforce and increase solar panel efficiency.

An airship is provided. The airship includes a hull configured to contain a gas, at least one propulsion assembly coupled to the hull and including a propulsion device, and at least one aerodynamic component including a plurality of fairing structures including one or more slats, wherein the at least one aerodynamic component is associated with the hull and is configured to direct airflow around the airship.

An aircraft can include an anti-icing system. The anti-icing system can include an array of carbon nanotubes thermally coupled to at least a first exposed surface of the aircraft. The anti-icing system can also include an array of solar cells carried by the aircraft and electrically coupled to the array of carbon nanotubes.

Provided is a flight path calculating method for high altitude long endurance of an unmanned aerial vehicle based on regenerative fuel cells and solar cells according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a modeling step, a simulation step, and an analyzing step, and may be configured in a program form executed by an arithmetic processing means including a computer. a flight path searching method and a flight path searching apparatus for performing continuous flight path re-searching on the basis of information measured in real time during a flight of the unmanned aerial vehicle in the stratosphere to change a flight path so that the unmanned aerial vehicle may permanently perform long endurance in the stratosphere is provided.

A system for transporting hydrogen from where it can be economically made to where it is most needed using airships. Green technologies can be used to generate electricity near to the primary energy sources. This electricity can then be used to produce hydrogen directly from water. Hydrogen can be delivered using an airship in which the hydrogen gas can also be used for generating lift, providing propulsion energy and serving ancillary needs. In other embodiments of the invention, the airship of the present invention can be used to dramatically reduce the cost of transportation of freight, the cost of passenger transportation, and to save on the area required for landing at the points of loading/unloading and embarkation/debarkation. And in another embodiment, the airship of the present invention can be used for transporting water and food to areas where needed. In another embodiment, the ship can be equipped with solar cells.

The present disclosure discloses an energy management system suitable for a solar-powered unmanned aerial vehicle and a control method thereof, which are used for an aerospace vehicle energy system. The system comprises a photovoltaic module, an MPPT controller, a first DC-DC circuit, a battery pack, a first anti-reverse circuit, a second DC-DC circuit, a second anti-reverse circuit, an ESC, a BLDC, an on-board controller, a communication link and a voltage stabilizing module. During cruising, the battery pack directly supplies power to the ESC through the first anti-reverse circuit; when high-power power output is needed, the battery pack supplies power to the ESC through the second DC-DC circuit and the second anti-reverse circuit in sequence, wherein the output voltage of the second DC-DC circuit and the accelerator signal input of the ESC are controlled by the on-board controller.

A solar panel includes a front portion. The front portion includes an electrical insulation layer and a front face sheet layer coupled to the electrical insulation layer. The solar panel also includes a cell coupled to the front portion to produce a tile. The solar panel also includes a back portion coupled to the tile. The back portion includes a honeycomb core layer and a back face sheet layer coupled to the honeycomb core layer.