Solar Impulse maiden flight, Payerne April 2010

Payerne, Switzerland (Geneva Lunch) - Solar Impulse will take to the skies around Payerne, canton Vaud, during the night, weather permitting, according to the website of the huge but light-weight aircraft. If all goes to plan, the plane will take off in the morning and slowly begin its climb to 8,500 metres, storing solar energy in its batteries via its solar panels all the way.

Then when the sun’s intensity declines, the plane will begin a slow descent throughout the night to 1,500m, using the stored energy and its height advantage. It will be the first test of its night-flying capabilities, which are actually a test of how much energy it can store on its day flight.

Solar Impulse has the wingspan of an Airbus, but weighs only 1.6 tons, the weight of a medium-sized car. Its wings and tailplane are covered with almost 12,000 solar panels.

The Solar Impulse team want to fly around the world by this means in 5 steps in 2012. The Swiss government had to make a special dispensation in February to allow an aircraft to fly at night.

Background: GenevaLunch

Links to other sites: The Economist

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