The modular design of Helios would lend itself to carrying a payload spread evenly over multiple pods; I doubt it could carry a single man (even without a cockpit able to reach 30,000m) without structural failure!

I am afraid so..insane project..sorta.

I guess so.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Schematic_of_HP03_Hydrogen-Air_Fuel_Cell_Configuration.png/675px-Schematic_of_HP03_Hydrogen-Air_Fuel_Cell_Configuration.png

It isn’t just about taking off though. It is about taxying, hangar, ground manoeuvring. There is a reason for the 80m commercial limit.

In addition, the wing will have a huge amount of flex in it with that span (unless you make it very thick) . Bend that may not be possible if it’s covered with solar panels.

I figure the wings can be detachable.

This has gone 1469 meters higher than Caproni Ca 161;

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8e/Grob_G_850_Strato_2C_D-CDLR_in_2012.jpg/800px-Grob_G_850_Strato_2C_D-CDLR_in_2012.jpg

Wingloading is 89 kg/m2.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grob_Strato_2C

I am afraid so..insane project..sorta.

I wanna explain this a bit…the flying wing does not have the best Cl…and it has also positive Cm..to compensate this they have down side pods ( that cause massive drag ) to give negative Cm..its like ½ as efficient as it could be.

Here is SOLAR IMPULSE like spanning craft with 2 x solar panel area.

Extra feature are the new accus that provide lotsa power for longer period !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIPsyl3ogc8

Ie 10 x more power and four times the weight compared to SI.

Here is SOLAR IMPULSE like spanning craft with 2 x solar panel area.

Extra feature are the new accus that provide lotsa power for longer period !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIPsyl3ogc8

Ie 10 x more power and four times the weight compared to SI.

Possibly 3 zeros too many or km ought to be m !

Simplified !