The goal
Endurance is a solar-powered glider project developed from scratch. The aim is to extend flight using solar energy alone. An Atlantic crossing is a long-term ambition; the immediate engineering challenge is achieving sustained solar-powered flight.
Lightweight construction
The airframe combines lightweight construction techniques using wood and carbon fibre. Integrating solar panels into the aircraft brings together structural design, manufacturing and energy management.
Making the most of solar power
The project includes a custom maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller to maximize the power available from the solar panels and charge the battery. This involves designing printed circuit boards and developing control software for an STM32 microcontroller.
Skills you can explore
- Aircraft structures and lightweight manufacturing.
- Solar power and battery management.
- PCB design and embedded software.
- Integration and testing of the complete aircraft.
Explore opportunities in the team or contact us to discuss your interests.