Bertrand Piccard of Switzerland is planning to circle the globe in a solar powered plane. After revealing the first prototype of the Solar Impulse plane to the press, Piccard revealed plans to cross the Atlantic in 2012 before attempting to circle the globe. Dr. Piccard may be best known for making history in 1999 when he circled the globe via hot air balloon. The first prototype of the solar plane is undergoing testing to prove that it can fly at night.
In order to circle the globe in a solar plane, cutting edge technology is built into every facet of the plane. The one-passenger plane is enormous, with a wingspan that rivals a commercial airliner. These gigantic wings support an array of solar panels that deliver power to the 4 electric propeller motors that bring the solar airplane to a blistering top airspeed of... 43MPH.
While the Solar Impulse plane wont set any speed records, the thought that it could theoretically stay aloft nonstop could prove a point about how technology has improved in the last decade. Although the plane is massive in size, it is made of ultra-lightweight carbon fiber and weighs less than 1500 pounds. That's about half the weight of a Ford Focus. The ultra-efficent motors are capable of running on battery power during night-time hours, and the avionics equipment is able to run on scant amounts of power thanks to new computer and LED technology.
The Solar Impulse plane will begin runway testing—flying short distances while hovering a few meters off the ground—to test the lift capabilities of the plane. As the team gains confidence in their design, they will begin night-time testing, a first for a manned solar aircraft.
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