A remote-controlled plane powered from the ground by a laser
beam has been tested by the US space agency (Nasa). In what is
thought to be an aviation first, the development could lead to
the creation of aircraft that do not need to carry onboard fuel.
Laser-powered planes could be used for surveillance The flight
of the small, model plane was conducted in a hanger at Nasa's
Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama. "It really is a
groundbreaking development for aviation," said Robert Burdine,
laser project manager for the test. The 300-gram (11-ounce)
plane, with a 1.5-metre (five foot) wingspan, was launched from
a platform. The laser tracked the aircraft in flight, directing
its energy beam at specially designed photovoltaic cells carried
on the fuselage to power the plane's propeller. "The craft could
keep flying as long as the energy source, in this case the laser
beam, is uninterrupted," said Mr Burdine. "This is the first
time that we know of that a plane has been powered only by the
energy of laser ligh