Solar Impulse sets off for California after long lay-off

[nitpicker]

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-36068059

Solar Impulse sets off for California after long lay-off

By Jonathan Amos
BBC Science Correspondent

21 April 2016

The zero-fuel aeroplane, Solar Impulse, has renewed its effort to try to circumnavigate the globe. The 72m-wingspan vehicle set off from Kalaeloa, Hawaii, at shortly after dawn local time, bound for San Francisco. Swiss adventurer Bertrand Piccard is at the controls and expects the flight to take two-and-a-half days.

Solar Impulse gets all its energy from the sun - through the 17,000 photovoltaic cells that cover the top surfaces of the craft. These power propellers during the day, but also charge batteries that the vehicle's motors can then call on during the night.

A high pressure zone has opened up, providing favourable winds that will take Piccard towards California and the famous Moffett Airfield. His slow-moving, light-weight craft should arrive on Saturday evening.
(snip)

[dreamnightwind]

1. Wow that is cool

I'm a couple of hours drive from Moffett field (where it will land) or I'd drive out to see it land.

Great quote from the article:

"We've learnt… that we can achieve the impossible. We can set goals that everyone considers are impossible, and with the dedication of a team, with creativity, with pioneering spirit - we can achieve it; despite all the specialists who are telling us that we could never do it."