Solar powered plane to fly around the world
German test pilot Markus Scherdel poses with Solar Impulse co-founders Andre Borschberg and Bertrand Piccard after taking the solar-powered Solar Impulse 2 aircraft on its maiden flight at its base in Payerne, June 2, 2014.
The aircraft, which was unveiled April 9, weighs 2.4 tons with a wingspan of 236 ft. and more than 17,000 solar cells. The attempt to fly around the world in stages using only solar energy will be made in 2015, according to the project.
All photos taken on June 2, 2014.
Payerne, Switzerland
The new experimental solar powered aircraft "Solar Impulse 2", HB-SIB, with a wingspan of 236 ft., takes off during its first flight.
Payerne, Switzerland
German test pilot Markus Scherdel steers the solar-powered Solar Impulse 2 aircraft during its maiden flight at its base.
Payerne, Switzerland
German test pilot Markus Scherdel takes off in the solar-powered Solar Impulse 2 aircraft for its maiden flight.
Payerne, Switzerland
Scherdel steers the solar-powered Solar Impulse 2 aircraft.
Payerne, Switzerland
The new experimental solar-powered Solar Impulse 2 aircraft.
Payerne, Switzerland
People work on the new experimental solar-powered Solar Impulse 2 aircraft.
Payerne, Switzerland
Solar Impulse project co-founder Andre Borschberg checks from his helicopter as German test pilot Markus Scherdel steers the solar-powered Solar Impulse 2 aircraft.
Payerne, Switzerland
Scherdel steers the solar-powered Solar Impulse 2 aircraft.
Payerne, Switzerland
German test pilot Markus Scherdel steers the solar-powered Solar Impulse 2 aircraft.
Payerne, Switzerland
Ground crew staff push the solar-powered Solar Impulse 2 aircraft back into its hangar after its maiden flight.
Payerne, Switzerland
The solar-powered Solar Impulse 2 experimental aircraft flown by German test pilot Markus Scherdel, lands during its maiden flight.
Payerne, Switzerland
A spotter takes a picture of the solar-powered Solar Impulse 2.
Payerne, Switzerland
The solar-powered Solar Impulse 2 experimental aircraft takes off during its maiden flight at its base in Payerne.