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Article: On the wings of a dragonfly; the way a dragonfly flies may inspire new aircraft designs. (unsteady aerodynamics)
- Article from:
- Science News
- Article date:
- August 10, 1985
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1985 Science Service, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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The dragonfly is an elegant creature of light and air. Seen as a hovering thread, a living flash of light or a luminous windmill in the dusk, this ancient flier flits with an enviable ease and grace.
Remarkably nimble, this insect can hover at will, then instantly dart sideways or backward. It can fly as fast as 30 miles per hour and lift up to 15 times its own weight. It's no wonder that aeronautics engineers are starting to probe the secrets of a dragonfly's aerodynamic agility.
Recent studies show that dragonflies use "unsteady aerodynamics," a mode of flying radically different from the smooth flight of airplanes and soaring or gliding birds. ...