Solar Impulse's Solar-powered HB-SIA Prototype Airplane Stands Still After Its First Successful Night Flight Attempt

Submitted by shinygadget on Thu, 07/08/2010 - 04:11

Solar Impulse's solar-powered HB-SIA prototype airplane stands still after its first successful night flight attempt at Payerne airport July 8, 2010. The aircraft took off July 7 at 06:51 am and reached an altitude of 8,700 meters (28,543 feet) by the end of the day. It then slowly descent to 1,500 meters (4,921 feet) and flew during the night on the batteries, charged during the day by 12,000 solar cells, which powered the four electric motors. It landed July 8 at 09.00 am (GMT+2) for a flight time of 26 hours and nine minutes, setting the longest and highest flight ever made by a solar plane. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse (SWITZERLAND - Tags: TRANSPORT SCI TECH ENVIRONMENT IMAGES OF THE DAY)