What is solar impulse? The website describes- “The only airplane of perpetual endurance, able to fly day and night on solar power, without a drop of fuel.” The lighter than a big SUV, weighing just 2.5 tons, this power plane took off today from Abu Dhabi to fly around the world feeding on sun’s rays.
The solar impulse 2 will take around 12 hours to reach its first stop, in Muscat, Oman. The plane will then fly towards India, Myanmar, China and the U.S. The flight is a part of a marathon 35,000-kilometer journey which will finish off in 5 months.
The plane was supposed to take off on the 1st of March however, due to changes in the weather condition but then as the day is bright and sunny, the plane took off to begin its first on air journey.
“We have had a lot of sandstorms in Abu Dhabi, and also a lot of wind, sea breezes, higher than the limit,” said Luc Truellemans,meterologist.
Pilots, Andre Borschberg and Bertrand Piccard will fly the plane taking turns for the next 500 hours. Piccard had shared his nervousness and excitement on twitter.
“Andre has worked on this airplane … for 12 years, from the feasibility study until now; it is more than natural that he takes the first step,” said Piccard.
The do has packed everything essential for the journey- enough food and water for a week along with a parachute, life raft and oxygen bottles in case of emergencies.
Here feed on the amazing machine!
