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Solar Impulse Makes First Test Flight

Swiss Group Hopes To Circumnavigate On Power From The Sun

The Solar Impulse, an aircraft being developed by a Swiss group for an attempted flight around the world only on solar power, completed its first test flight Wednesday at a military air base in Western Switzerland.

The airplane, powered solely by four 10 horsepower electric motors, climbed to an altitude of about 3,600 feet before returning to land at after a flight of 87 minutes.

The plane that flew Wednesday was a prototype. The Associated Press reports that project co-founder Andre Borschgerg said that additional tests would be conducted to refine the airplane for the round-the-world attempt, and that construction on that airplane would begin next year.

“This summer, we want to show that we can fly night and day. This will happen in Payerne. Hopefully in May, June or July,” he added.

Artists Concept

The aircraft's wings are covered with about 12 thousand solar cells to provide power to its batteries, which weigh almost 900 pounds. The five-stage circumnavigation attempt is planned in 2013.

FMI: www.solarimpulse.com

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