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Aircraft

Solar Impulse begins its Sun-powered flight across America

By Ben Coxworth
May 03, 2013
Solar Impulse begins its Sun-powered flight across America
The Solar Impulse airplane, on an earlier test flight over San Francisco
The Solar Impulse airplane, on an earlier test flight over San Francisco
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The Solar Impulse airplane, on an earlier test flight over San Francisco
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The Solar Impulse airplane, on an earlier test flight over San Francisco
The Solar Impulse solar-powered airplane has begun its flight across the U.S.
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The Solar Impulse solar-powered airplane has begun its flight across the U.S.

This morning at 6:12 am PST, the Solar Impulse solar-powered airplane took off from San Francisco’s Moffett Airfield, beginning the first leg of its planned flight across the U.S.

The aircraft was piloted by Bertrand Piccard (and still is, at the time of this posting). He will be sharing piloting duties throughout the course of the 2013 Across America mission with fellow Solar Impulse team member André Borschberg. The mission will be broken into five legs, with the plane making stops at select American cities between each one. It is expected that the final leg of the journey will begin in early July.

The Solar Impulse solar-powered airplane has begun its flight across the U.S.
The Solar Impulse solar-powered airplane has begun its flight across the U.S.

Officially known as HB-SIA, the single-passenger Solar Impulse aircraft incorporates 11,628 solar cells on the top of its wing and horizontal stabilizer. These power its four 10-hp electric motors, and also charge its 400 kilograms (882 lb) of lithium batteries – allowing it to fly at night.

It should be completing the first leg of the mission when it lands in Phoenix, Arizona this Saturday (May 4th). Live video being streamed from the aircraft can be seen below.

Source: Solar Impulse

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AircraftSolar PoweredSolar ImpulseElectric Aircraft
2 comments
Ben Coxworth
Ben Coxworth
Based out of Edmonton, Canada, Ben Coxworth has been writing for New Atlas since 2009 and is presently Managing Editor for North America. An experienced freelance writer, he previously obtained an English BA from the University of Saskatchewan, then spent over 20 years working in various markets as a television reporter, producer and news videographer. Ben is particularly interested in scientific innovation, human-powered transportation, and the marine environment.

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2 comments
Grumpyrelic
While all this eco-solar tek is impressive, I believe that we are further away from having regular commercial flights with this stuff than the Wright bros. were from the space shuttle. When you factor in the cost of the solar cells and the risk of flying in these flimsy machines you soon see that they are all design exercises. I bet they are flying without insurance too. I also wonder if the on board batteries are adequate to provide enough power to keep the pilot warm at night and maintain flight. For me, the vision of solar flight on gossamer wings has already had a crash landing with reality.
Vincent Ingram
From the tiniest acorn the mighty oak grows. Give it time and a lot more research and we will see great things. The scramjet was once said to be impossible too... hell, human flight itself needed a bit of thinking about.