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Test flights begin in the next 2 weeks, and by the end of the summer the designers hope to fly the blimp named Nephelios across the Channel.

Solar panels that collect energy from the sun and convert it to power a small motor which drives two large propellers are stretched out on top of the blimp.

The panels are capable of generating 2.4 kW of power and provide enough energy to propel the 18 foot in diameter blimp at 25 mph.

By the end of the summer the students hope to fly it across the Strait of Dover in less than one hour. If successful it will be the first flight of a solar powered airship.