BBC: Solar powered Solar Impulse plane poised to fly NKG-HNL in ~144 hours
May 25, 2015, 5:41 pm
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BBC: Solar powered Solar Impulse plane poised to fly NKG-HNL in ~144 hours
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-32863205
For me, the idea a solar powered aircraft can circle the world - and in the next step Nanjing to Honolulu nonstop - is as exciting as any time of the space race.
Andre Borschberg will fly this sector, strapped in for the duration,,ascending during the day with solar power and gradually descending every night as the aircraft conserves energy and flies on batteries. Quite amazing as well is Bertrand Piccard, descendant of Auguste and Jacques Piccard, pioneers all.
It's going to be six days of paying attention to this amazing feat!
It will also be interesting to measure the fallout in influencing aviation advances.
It will be a test of man and machine. The Solar Impulse project is waiting to undertake its greatest challenge yet: flying non-stop from Nanjing in China to Hawaii in the Central Pacific.
For a passenger airliner, the 8,000km could be completed in 10 hours or so. But for this solar-powered, prop-driven, experimental aircraft, it could take 5-6 days and nights of continuous flight.
For a passenger airliner, the 8,000km could be completed in 10 hours or so. But for this solar-powered, prop-driven, experimental aircraft, it could take 5-6 days and nights of continuous flight.
Andre Borschberg will fly this sector, strapped in for the duration,,ascending during the day with solar power and gradually descending every night as the aircraft conserves energy and flies on batteries. Quite amazing as well is Bertrand Piccard, descendant of Auguste and Jacques Piccard, pioneers all.
It's going to be six days of paying attention to this amazing feat!
It will also be interesting to measure the fallout in influencing aviation advances.
Solar Impulse: The journey so far
• LEG 1: 9 March. Abu Dhabi (UAE) to Muscat (Oman) - 441km; in 13 hours and 1 minute
• LEG 2: 10 March. Muscat (Oman) to Ahmedabad (India) - 1,468km; in 15 hours and 20 minutes
• LEG 3: 18 March. Ahmedabad (India) to Varanasi (India) - 1,215km; in 13 hours and 15 minutes
• LEG 4: 19 March. Varanasi (India) to Mandalay (Myanmar) - 1,398km; in 13 hours and 29 minutes
• LEG 5: 29 March. Mandalay (Myanmar) to Chongqing (China) - 1,459km; in 20 hours and 29 minutes
• LEG 6: 21 April. Chongqing (China) to Nanjing China - 1,241km; in 17 hours and 22 minutes
• LEG 1: 9 March. Abu Dhabi (UAE) to Muscat (Oman) - 441km; in 13 hours and 1 minute
• LEG 2: 10 March. Muscat (Oman) to Ahmedabad (India) - 1,468km; in 15 hours and 20 minutes
• LEG 3: 18 March. Ahmedabad (India) to Varanasi (India) - 1,215km; in 13 hours and 15 minutes
• LEG 4: 19 March. Varanasi (India) to Mandalay (Myanmar) - 1,398km; in 13 hours and 29 minutes
• LEG 5: 29 March. Mandalay (Myanmar) to Chongqing (China) - 1,459km; in 20 hours and 29 minutes
• LEG 6: 21 April. Chongqing (China) to Nanjing China - 1,241km; in 17 hours and 22 minutes
Last edited by JDiver; May 26, 2015 at 7:53 am Reason: Add journey
Jun 1, 2015, 10:13 am
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The Solar Impulse has turned around and landed in Nagoya due to deteriorating weather. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-32963426
Jul 1, 2015, 2:04 pm
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Solar Impulse is now headed to JRF, should be there fairly soon.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/201...ayover-nagoya/
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/201...ayover-nagoya/
Last edited by greg5; Jul 1, 2015 at 2:08 pm Reason: It's going to JRF not HNL, and added link.
Jul 2, 2015, 12:38 pm
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Solar Impulse has passed Midway Island and is on a somewhat delayed schedule due to being required to loiter for a best opening in two weather fronts it has had to contend with.
Scheduled to arrive Friday, July 3; pilot Borschberg is flying ~120 hours on twenty minute catnaps! He broke the world's record for the longest nonstop solo flight without refueling 76 hours into his flight from Japan to Hawaii.
Scheduled to arrive Friday, July 3; pilot Borschberg is flying ~120 hours on twenty minute catnaps! He broke the world's record for the longest nonstop solo flight without refueling 76 hours into his flight from Japan to Hawaii.
Last edited by JDiver; Jul 2, 2015 at 5:22 pm
Jul 3, 2015, 11:54 am
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Solar Impulse landed in Hawai'i today. http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-33383521
Jul 3, 2015, 4:41 pm
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Solar Impulse landed in Hawai'i today. http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-33383521
Solar Impulse, the aeroplane that is powered only by the sun, has landed in Hawaii after making a historic 7,200km flight across the Pacific from Japan.
Pilot Andre Borschberg brought the vehicle gently down on to the runway of Kalaeloa Airport at 05:55 local time (15:55 GMT; 16:55 BST).
The distance covered and the time spent in the air - 118 hours - are records for manned, solar-powered flight.
Pilot Andre Borschberg brought the vehicle gently down on to the runway of Kalaeloa Airport at 05:55 local time (15:55 GMT; 16:55 BST).
The distance covered and the time spent in the air - 118 hours - are records for manned, solar-powered flight.
Apr 24, 2016, 12:56 am
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Solar Impulse just completed the HNL-SJC(Moffett Field) leg of the flight! http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-36122618
Jun 22, 2016, 10:43 pm
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Solar Impulse has crossed the Atlantic.
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-36598140
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-36598140