Known as Scaled Composites Model 281,Proteus is a unique aircraft designed as a high-altitude, long-duration telecommunications relay platform, with potential for use on atmospheric sampling and Earth monitoring science missions as well.
source: nasa /image: horsemoney
It was designed by Burt Rutan, president of Scaled Composites, and built during 1997-98 Proteus.Proteus has an extremely efficient design, and can orbit a point at over 19,800 m for more than 18 hours. source: nasa
The Proteus features an unconventional tandem-wing, twin-boom configuration with two rear-mounted turbofan engines providing power.The aircraft features modular construction that allows payloads to be carried in a variety of locations.source: nasa
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Proteus is an “optionally piloted” aircraft ordinarily flown by two pilots in a pressurized cabin. However, it also has the capability to perform its missions semi-autonomously or flown remotely from the ground.
