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Round-world flight planned for solar-powered plane

Seeded on Sat Jun 27, 2009 12:38 PM EDT

Article Source: Independent.co.uk

technology, environment, aviation, future, solar-powered-plane

Seeded by Carloz

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A solar-powered plane its inventor hopes will lead to a non-stop round the world flight was unveiled today.

Solar Impulse has the wingspan of a Jumbo Jet but the weight of a small car.

Adventurer Bertrand Piccard who in 1999 co-piloted the first round-the-globe non-stop balloon flight said: "Yesterday it was a dream, today it is an aeroplane, tomorrow it will be an ambassador of renewable energies."

The plane will have test flights over the next two years, and based on their results a new version will be constructed for the big event in 2012.

The plane will fly day and night using almost 12,000 solar cells, rechargeable lithium batteries and four electric motors. It will not use an ounce of fuel.

Here is a link to a related article: Giant Solar Plane Will Stay Aloft for Five Years Straight.

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Public Discussion (6)

Carloz

Mr Piccard said the plane should also serve as an inspiration for inventors and manufacturers of everyday machines and appliances.

"If an aircraft is able to fly day and night without fuel, propelled solely by solar energy," Mr Piccard said, "let no one come and claim that it is impossible to do the same thing for motor vehicles, heating and air conditioning systems and computers."

Fascinating, as Mr. Spock might say -- and encouraging, too. Can you imagine the positive impact on the environment if one day air travel no longer relied on fossil fuel?