Splicetoday

On Campus
Jun 13, 2008, 05:42AM

Every Trekkie's Dream Come True

A University of Florida professor is busy creating the first ever flying saucer. Measuring only six inches in diameter, sci-fi fans shouldn't expect to cruise the galaxy with Spock, but the scientific possibilities for the device are great both on Earth and beyond...

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Photo by Tony the Misfit

A UF professor is working toward developing the mothership of science-fiction aficionados' dreams: a real flying saucer.

Subrata Roy, a mechanical and aerospace engineering associate professor, has designed a disk-shaped aircraft that he calls the "wingless electromagnetic air vehicle," or WEAV. The patent for the aircraft, which will measure less than six inches across, is still pending.

Ideally, Roy's aircraft could be used to fly through other planets' atmospheres and explore extraterrestrial terrain. It could also be employed for more practical uses, such as surveillance and navigation purposes.

"This has nothing to do with aliens," Roy said. "This is more of science than fiction."

 

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