Solar Impulse set to soar on U.S. tour
The average power available to the airplane is just about that of a typical scooter, meaning that the inventiveness and feats of engineering which allow this plane to fly are pretty incredible -- consider, for instance, its ability to fly day and night for more than 26 hours at a time.
Hangar at Moffett Field
In a hangar yesterday at Moffett Field, Calif., near the nexus of Silicon Valley's big thinkers, Solar Impulse pilot Andre Borschberg says it is fitting that the plane will begin its cross-country journey here. The main goal of the cutting-edge airplane, he said, is to inspire others to embrace the spirit of exploration and to participate in the innovative and creative spirit which went into the project.
More than 80 companies partnered on the project to tackle the challenges of solar- and battery-powered flight, in areas including chemical, electrical, and materials technologies.
That's some wingspan
Solar Impulse in the spotlight
As the aircraft travels cross-country, with stops in Phoenix, Dallas-Fort Worth, then either Atlanta or Nashville and then Washington D.C. and into New York, transmissions live from the plane and partnerships with school will allow people to speak directly to the pilot and ask questions of the team.
Bertrand Piccard
Nose of the Solar Impulse
On July 8, 2010, for the first time in history, Solar Impulse succeeded in flying day and night without fuel, powered for 26 hours by stored solar energy alone.
The next big goal for the project is to fly around the world in 2015.