Solar Impulse flight on its second leg
June 6, 2012, 02:55 pm
Aviation history is in the making with the Solar Impulse flight currently under way. The aircraft powered entirely by solar energy underwent the first leg of a transatlantic journey last month and is now on the second leg.
The plane is made of carbon fiber in the shape of an Airbus A340, weighing about as much as an average-sized car due to the special design. Running on solar energy, the plane's the light design includes 12,000 solar cells running four different motors. Pilot and former balloonist Bertrand Piccard is on the current trip from Spain to Rabat, Morocco.
The mission has been broadcasted in unique fashion as well. Viewers are able to go to SolarImpulse.com and see exactly where the solar-powered craft is, how fast it is going, its altitude, heading, battery status. Best of all, they can watch the live video feed from inside and outside the plane’s cockpit.
Furthermore, Piccard himself is updating fans on Twitter of his current position in the Solar Impulse.
“Good bye Madrid heading for Rabat,” her tweet read. “More than half way to Gibraltar. Solar energy running engines and loading batteries, great feeling.”
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