The Solar Powered Plane – It Lives!

Chris Milton — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:15:37 +0000

Mad scientists don’t usually hang around in Switzerland, tinkering around with their crazy ideas and running after them down the asphalt.

Thankfully Bertrand Piccard, who flew the Breitling Orbiter hot air balloon around the world in 1999, isn’t mad. In fact, this idea may just fly.

In 2003 he and the Solar Impulse Foundation announced their intention to fly a Solar Powered Plane around the world. In 2007, they started to build it.

Now the plane has taken it’s first small, but confident, steps.

Solar-Powered Plane to Perform Test Flight

Ariel Schwartz — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 23:07:40 +0000

It’s hard enough to construct viable solar-powered vehicles, let alone airplanes. Nevertheless, the first solar-powered plane trip around the world is now one step closer to reality. A 1500 kilogram solar plane dubbed “Solar Impulse” will complete its first test flight next April. The plane, which has a 61 meter wingspan, will attempt to travel around the world in May 2011. It will go into commercial production the same year.

Green Options » solar impulse

The Solar Powered Plane – It Lives!

Solar-Powered Plane to Perform Test Flight