Solar Impulse, the solar-powered aircraft that’s on a round-the-world flight to raise awareness for clean, renewable energy, landed in Ahmedabad yesterday from Oman.
Our privately-financed Swiss aircraft hopes to achieve the first circumnavigation of the Earth by a piloted fixed-wing aircraft using only solar power.
The aircraft, Solar Impulse 2, is extremely impressive. Its wingspan is only slightly less than that of an Airbus A380, but it weighs only as much as a modern car. 17,248 photovoltaic cells charge its 4 lithium-ion batteries, which in turn power 4 electronic motors. The aircraft cruises at 27,900 feet, at a speed of 90 km/h; its maximum speed is an impressive 140 km/h.
Flying by day and night, we intend to complete our historic journey in a little over 2 months.
Solar Impulse has collaborated with Google to keep us, the pilots, connected to the world all through our flight. You can follow our progress on our Google+ Page; watch exclusive content on our YouTube Channel; and join stunning Google Hangouts with us, live from mid-air.
After a few days interacting with students, teachers, the government and the private sector in Ahmedabad, we will fly 1,075 km to Varanasi. We’d like to invite you to follow the launch LIVE on the Google India blog, and join an exclusive mid-air Google Hangout with us.
Thank you very much for your support. You can read more about the Solar Impulse project here.
Written by: Bertrand Piccard, Andre Borschberg, Co-Founders & Pilots, Solar Impulse
