Solar-powered plane crosses the Pacific Ocean – AviaPort.Ru

Solar Plane Solar Impulse is now performing the seventh, the longest stage of their journey – 8175 km long flight from Nanjing (China) to Hawaii (USA), across the Pacific Ocean. Is piloting an innovative eco-plane by its creator, 62-year-old Swiss businessman and engineer Andre Borshberg (Andre Borschberg). Details of the news agency Associated Press.

Solar Impulse flew from Nanjing yesterday, Sunday, May 31 at 02:39 local time (18:39 GMT). As expected, the flight will last six days and five nights, all at least 130 hours. All this time Borshberg will be at the helm, making only short breaks to rest. Mission Control Center in Monaco will maintain constant contact with the pilot and maintain it at a constant route.

Before leaving Borshberg told BBC News, that the flight – “more personal challenge, a journey inside yourself.” He also expressed the hope that this will be yet another confirmation of the strength of environmentally friendly technologies. In Hawaii Borshberga replace his constant companion Bertrand Piccard (Bertrand Piccard), who flew to Phoenix, Ariz.

Research Portal Russia has already talked about the early stages of Around the World Solar Impulse – the first, from Abu Dhabi ( UAE) in Muscat (Sultanate of Oman), and fifth, from Burma to China. Flight across the Pacific Ocean was preceded by a long preparation. Return eco-plane in Abu Dhabi is expected in late July.

Solar Impulse 2 – the first aircraft capable of crossing continents and oceans, being charged only by the energy of the sun. Its wingspan is not less than that of large passenger aircraft, but the weight is only 2.3 tons. On the wings and fuselage of the model are 17 thousand. Solar panels, and the body hidden capacious lithium-ion batteries that will store energy for night flying.

Solar energy, the principle of which is the basis for the design of Solar Impulse, it seems, It has great prospects: according to the forecast of the International Energy Agency (IEA), by 2050 it will overtake coal in power. Perhaps, then, planes, like this one, will become commonplace.

Press Digest for June 1, 2015 | Digest publications for the June 1, 2015

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