'Solar Plane' made first testflight

The Solar Impulse, an airplane based on solar energy, was tested for the first time yesterday. It only flew 350m, at an altitude of 1m, first 'real' flight is planned for early 2010 (a 36hours flight). Final aim is a trip around the world...
Despite its current inefficiency regarding daily use (wingspan 63,4m; 1600kg), I'd love to see this getting further optimized.

At each major premiere, the adventurers of the last century pushed back the limits of the impossible. Today, human and technical enquiry must go on, with a view to improving the quality of life for humanity. By writing the next pages in the history of aviation with solar energy, as far as a flight around the world without fuel or pollution is concerned, Solar Impulse's ambition is to contribute in the world of exploration and innovation to the cause of renewable energies. To demonstrate the importance of the new technologies in sustainable development, and of course, once again, to place dream and emotion at the heart of scientific adventure.

All info here!

[edit on 4/12/09 by Movhisattva]

Update:

"Solar-powered plane lands safely after 26-hour flight"
Page last updated at 10:59 GMT, Thursday, 8 July 2010 11:59 UK
news.bbc.co.uk...

An experimental solar-powered aircraft launched on Wednesday has landed safely in Switzerland after successfully flying through the night.
The feat is a step toward the makers' aim of circling the globe using the power of the Sun to fuel the plane.
The aircraft used super-efficient solar cells and batteries to stay in the air after the Sun's rays had faded.

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/0f5552febf60.jpg[/atsimg]


[edit on 7/8/2010 by this_is_who_we_are]