Solar-powered plane to fly around the world

Two Swiss pilots are to attempt to fly around the world in a plane powered solely by the sun, seeking to prove that such a flight is possible without using fossil fuel
---------------------------------------------------
Structure: Carbon fibre, three times lighter than paper

Wings: 17,000 solar cells – 135 microns thick – supply four electric motors with renewable energy

SOLAR IMPULSE 2

Wingspan: 72 metres – wider than Boeing 747

Weight: 2,300kg – same as family car

Propulsion: Four wing pods each contain 17.5hp electric motor and lithium polymer battery Solar cells recharge batteries – total mass 633kg – to allow plane to fly at night

Antenna

Cockpit: 3.8 cubic metres. Unpressurized, unheated, but highly insulated cabin designed to support solo pilot for 5-6 days

Oxygen supply for high altitude flight

Autopilot alerts pilot of anomaly via wrist- mounted buzzer

Ergonomically designed seat allows room for exercise and 20-minute catnaps during five-day ocean crossings

Parachute and life-raft packed into seat- back

Toilet

Solar Impulse 2 piloted by project founders Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg
----------------------------------------------------------
FLIGHT: 35,000km journey will span 25 flight days spread over five months at average speed of 70km/h, with stops at 12 locations 

Stopovers

PACIFIC OCEAN

Hawaii U.S.

Phoenix U.S.

Mid U.S.

New York U.S.

ATLANTIC OCEAN

Southern Europe or North Africa

Muscat OMAN

Ahmedabat INDIA

Start/Finish: Abu Dhabi

Varanasi INDIA

Mandalay MYANMAR

Chongqing CHINA

Nanjing CHINA

PACIFIC

Take off and landing: Scheduled at night to avoid turbulence. Take-off speed: 35km/h

During day: Aircraft climbs to 8,500m as it stores solar energy. Top speed: 140km/h

During night: Descends to 1,500m and slows to conserve power and reduce pilot stress
------------------------------------------------------
Source: Solar Impulse

Picture: Getty Images

words 310