The Solar Impulse , a solar - powered sailplane with a wingspan orotund than that of a Boeing 787 , completed its first true flight today , a major milestone in its aim to compass the globe in 2012 .
In December the planeleft the ground for the first time , though only for 28 seconds . Today ’s 90 - minute risky venture was its first true trial flight , and its creators could n’t have been more proud of with the results . Bertrand Piccard , the founder of the Solar Impulse program , said , “ Eighty - seven minutes of intense emotion after seven years of enquiry , examination and perseverance . Never has an plane as large and Light Within ever flown before ! ”
Solar Impulse Plane flee For First Time in Switzerland
The ultimate destination of the project , a flight around the world , is design for 2012 , but further trial flight later this year will tackle the next major hurdle : flying at night . [ electrify ]
AircraftEnergySolarPower
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