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A solar powered-plane that will go around the world!

Last updated on: June 19, 2014 14:14 IST
Solar Impulse's Chief Executive Officer and pilot Andre Borschberg flies in the solar-powered HB-SIA prototype airplane during its first successful night flight attempt at Payerne airport.

The latest Solar Impulse 2 is geared up for one of the biggest challenges.

It will be the only airplane to fly around the world without a drop of fuel in 2015.

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A solar powered-plane that will go around the world!

Last updated on: June 19, 2014 14:14 IST
 solar-powered Solar Impulse 2 experimental aircraft takes off during its maiden flight at its base in Payerne.

Pilots Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg, who are also our founders, will fly around the world taking up a daunting challenge for the first time.

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A solar powered-plane that will go around the world!

Last updated on: June 19, 2014 14:14 IST
 solar-powered Solar Impulse 2 experimental aircraft lands during its maiden flight in Payerne.

The solar flight across the world will take about 20 flying days. 

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A solar powered-plane that will go around the world!

Last updated on: June 19, 2014 14:14 IST
Solar Impulse co-founder Bertrand Piccard (L) congratulates German test pilot Markus Scherdel (R) after steering the solar-powered Solar Impulse 2 aircraft on its maiden flight at its base in Payerne.

The aircraft weighs 2.4 tons, has a wingspan of 72 meters (236 ft.) and more than 17,000 solar cells.

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A solar powered-plane that will go around the world!

Last updated on: June 19, 2014 14:14 IST
German test pilot Markus Scherdel prepares for take-off in the solar-powered Solar Impulse 2 aircraft on its maiden flight at its base in Payerne.

The company describes the plane as “Larger in wingspan than a Jumbo Jet, but as light as a SUV, this solar airplane presents structural and aerodynamic features never before encountered.”

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A solar powered-plane that will go around the world!

Last updated on: June 19, 2014 14:14 IST

German test pilot Markus Scherdel (C) poses with Solar Impulse co-founders Andre Borschberg (R) and Bertrand Piccard after taking the solar-powered Solar Impulse 2 aircraft on its maiden flight at its base in Payerne.

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A solar powered-plane that will go around the world!

Last updated on: June 19, 2014 14:14 IST

Solar Impulse's Chief Executive Officer and pilot Andre Borschberg performs a low altitude go-round procedure with the solar-powered HB-SIA prototype aircraft during a test flight at Payerne airport.

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A solar powered-plane that will go around the world!

Last updated on: June 19, 2014 14:14 IST

Solar Impulse's Chief Executive Officer and pilot Andre Borschberg flies in the solar-powered HB-SIA prototype airplane during its first successful night flight attempt at Payerne airport.

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A solar powered-plane that will go around the world!

Last updated on: June 19, 2014 14:14 IST

The solar-powered Solar Impulse HB-SIA prototype airplane is seen in the firm's hangar in Payerne.

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A solar powered-plane that will go around the world!

Last updated on: June 19, 2014 14:14 IST

Solar Impulse's Chief Executive Officer and pilot Andre Borschberg flies the solar-powered HB-SIA prototype airplane at sunrise during the plane's first night flight attempt near Payerne airport.

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A solar powered-plane that will go around the world!

Last updated on: June 19, 2014 14:14 IST

German test pilot Markus Scherdel steers the solar-powered Solar Impulse HB-SIA prototype airplane touch down after his first flight over Payerne.

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A solar powered-plane that will go around the world!

Last updated on: June 19, 2014 14:14 IST

Solar Impulse's solar-powered HB-SIA prototype airplane stands still after its first successful night flight attempt at Payerne airport.

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A solar powered-plane that will go around the world!

Last updated on: June 19, 2014 14:14 IST

German test pilot Markus Scherdel, steers the solar-powered Solar Impulse HB-SIA prototype airplane during his first flight in front of the Swiss Alps.

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A solar powered-plane that will go around the world!

Last updated on: June 19, 2014 14:14 IST

Technicians and mechanics stand beside the solar-powered 61 metres (200 feet) wingspan Solar Impulse HB-SIA prototype airplane on a tarmac at the airport in Duebendorf near Zurich.

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A solar powered-plane that will go around the world!

Last updated on: June 19, 2014 14:14 IST

The new Solar Impulse 2 aircraft is pulled out of its base for the first time for tests with solar panels in Payerne.

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A solar powered-plane that will go around the world!

Last updated on: June 19, 2014 14:14 IST

Pilot and co-founder of Solar Impulse Bertrand Piccard, sits with electrodes attached to his head in the cockpit of a transatlantic 72 hour flight simulation at the airport in Duebendorf near Zurich.

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A solar powered-plane that will go around the world!

Last updated on: June 19, 2014 14:14 IST

A medic connects electrodes to the head of Bertrand Piccard (C) pilot and co-founder of Solar Impulse before the start of a transatlantic 72 hour flight simulation at the airport in Duebendorf near Zurich.

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A solar powered-plane that will go around the world!

Last updated on: June 19, 2014 14:14 IST

Ground staff prepare the solar-powered HB-SIA Solar Impulse prototype aircraft before a test flight at Payerne airport.

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A solar powered-plane that will go around the world!

Last updated on: June 19, 2014 14:14 IST

Solar Impulse's Chief Executive Officer and pilot Andre Borschberg flies in the solar-powered HB-SIA prototype airplane above Lake Leman near Vevey during a test flight from its base in Payerne to Geneva International airport.

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A solar powered-plane that will go around the world!

Last updated on: June 19, 2014 14:14 IST

A helicopter flies over the solar-powered Solar Impulse HB-SIA prototype airplane steered by German test pilot Markus Scherdel, during his first flight over Payerne.