Reuters: Aircraft completes first solar-powered night flight

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6671WK20100708

Aircraft completes first solar-powered night flight

By Vincent Fribault

PAYERNE | Thu Jul 8, 2010 7:33am EDT

PAYERNE Switzerland (Reuters) - A giant glider-like aircraft has completed the first night flight propelled only by solar energy, organizers said on Thursday.

Solar Impulse, whose wingspan is the same as an Airbus A340, flew 26 hours and 9 minutes, powered only by solar energy stored during the day. It was also the longest and highest flight in the history of solar aviation, organizers said.

Bertrand Piccard, the Swiss president of the project, best known for completing the first round-the-world flight in a hot air balloon in 1999, said the success of the flight showed the potential of renewable energies and clean technology.

"We are on the verge of the perpetual flight," he said.

Jubilant pilot Andre Borschberg told Reuters television: "It was unbelievable, success better than we expected. We almost thought to make it longer, but ... we demonstrated what we wanted to demonstrate so they made me come back, so here I am."

…

http://www.solarimpulse.com/common/documents/news_.php?lang=en&group=news

[dipsydoodle]

1. Just watched that on TV news

Just amazing. Next up trans Atlantic to be followed by around the world !

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

2. NY-LA in just over 5 days.

[OKIsItJustMe]

3. Yup, entirely impractical, just like any other heavier than air craft

Let's see… how long would it have taken the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wright_Flyer">Wright Flyer to make the trip? …

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

4. It took 3 months 150 years ago.