For the first time in history, Solar Impulse is the only airplane of perpetual endurance flying day and night without fuel, powered by nothing but solar energy. Record-breaking flights across Europe, the Mediterranean Sea, and the United States brought worldwide attention to the Solar Impulse attempt, launched by Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg, providing the enormous potential of clean technologies to protect the natural resources of our planet, and the importance of pioneering spirit to create a brighter future.
The Solar Impulse is not the first solar airplane ever designed, but it is certainly the most ambitious. None of its predecessors has ever managed to fly through the night with a pilot on board.
In an attempt called “First Round- The World Solar Flight in 2015’’ challenge set to fly around the world, the aircraft just made its fifth flight on March 30th from Mandalay [Myanmar] to Chongqing [China]. The Sixth flight will takeoff from Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport, CKG/ZUKE to Nanjing Lukou International Airport, NKG/ZSNJ, but the flight is delayed due to weather concerns. The Pilot Bertrand Piccard will fly the zero fuel aircraft about 1190 km for an estimated period of 20 hours.
Image courtesy: Solarimpluse.com
