Solar Powered Plane Lifts Off for Around-the-World Journey

Green transit is soaring to new heights on the wings of a solar-powered plane. Literally.

Called Solar Impulse 2, the entirely solar-driven plane embarked on the historic first leg of an around the world journey shortly after 11:10 p.m. EDT (7:10 a.m. local time on March 9) taking off from Abu Dhabi and arriving in Oman 13 hours and 20 minutes later.

Solar Impulse 2 is designed to fly day and night without using a single drop of fuel. The plane is powered entirely by solar panels and onboard batteries, which charge during the day to enable the ultra-lightweight plane to continue its journey throughout the night.

The plane has a wingspan of 236 feet (72 meters), and it weighs only 5,070 pounds (2,300 kilograms), or about the same as a car, company officials have said. The aircraft’s wings are covered with 17,000 solar cells that power the plane’s onboard systems.

Next, Solar Impulse 2 will make stops in India, Myanmar and China, before crossing the Pacific Ocean. The plane is then expected to fly across the continental United States, touching down in three cities along the way. After journeying across the Atlantic Ocean, the plane will make a stopover either in southern Europe or North Africa before returning to Abu Dhabi, according to company officials.]

If successful, Solar Impulse 2 will become the first solar-powered aircraft to circumnavigate the globe. Swiss pilots and Solar Impulse co-founders André Borschberg and Bertrand Piccard have said the round-the-world flight will likely end in late July or early August.

 

The round-the-world flight is designed to demonstrate the possibilities of “green” technology and sustainable energy.

Category: Green