AstroFlight

The Northrop Corporation awarded Astro Flight a contract in 1972 to develop a low- altitude electric surveillance drone.

The 7212 would set another unofficial record in August 1973 by carrying a 7.5 pound lead payload over a closed course for an hour and twenty minutes at speeds reaching 75 mph (121 km/h).

Astro Flight was awarded a DARPA contract through Lockheed in 1974 in order to build the Sunrise, the world's first solar-powered airplane.

Improvements included a single Astro Flight Cobalt 40 motor powered by 4480 solar cells with an output of 600 watts.

In 1979, DuPont sponsored Dr. Paul MacCready in his attempt to create a solar powered plane capable of carrying a human.

The success of Gossamer Penguin prompted DuPont to agree to sponsor a solar plane capable of crossing the English Channel.

Today, Astro Flight continues to provide hobbyists with motors, battery chargers and electronic speed controls.