Impractical ideas result in very practical devices. They knew too much, he said of the doubters. Although the skies probably won t ever be dotted with pedaling aviators, MacCready has designed solar-powered unmanned craft that can stay aloft at high altitudes for months to perform surveillance or scientific missions. MacCready emphasized that energy-efficient designs like his are more than novelties. They represent a critical approach to how scientists now and in the future can help maintain a stressed Earth.
Humans are no longer subject to Earth s checks and balances, but the Earth isn t getting any bigger.
The young ones now are the ones who ll determine whether we achieve a sustainable world. MacCready s talk was arranged by Robotics and Process Systems Division researcher Fran ois Pin, a colleague and fellow sail plane enthusiast.