Solar Impulse Takes Off into History

Less than a month after Solar Impulse passed its first runway test, the solar-powered airplane made aviation history with its first test flight. Given the plane’s nearly 200-foot wingspan and complete lack of conventional fuel, you’d think taking off would be quite the challenge for Solar Impulse. Yet it achieved flight on its first try, floating several feet off the ground for about 30 seconds and traveling 350 meters. The project’s main promoter and noted balloonist Bertrand Piccard had this to say about the Solar Impulse:

“Never before – in the whole history of aviation – has an aircraft so big, so light and consuming so little energy actually flown.” Move over, Leonardo.

The Solar Impulse does look something like a giant stick figure with abnormally long arms. And in 20 years, we may be laughing at its size, but if we’re hopping on solar planes at LAX in 2030, then we’ll owe a lot to the likes of Bertrand Piccard and the Solar Impulse team. December 3rd was a monumental day for them and for aviation the world over. For the Solar Impulse crew, that first 30 seconds in flight has been six years in the making.

The day’s low altitude test will be followed by high altitude and night flying tests starting in the spring. The current prototype and testing will lead in 2011 to the construction of the Solar Impulse plane that will officially circumnavigate the globe in 2012.

Posted on December 11th in Solar Research by Dan.