Is This The Future Of Flight Travel?; New Technology Revealed!

By Kennedy

The Solar Impulse 2; a solar plane started its journey around the world on March 9, 2015, from Abu Dhabi in UAE. Read on to find the current status and details of the awesome solar plane.

With a top speed of 100kmph, the Solar Impulse 2 is the best bet for travelling in the sky with clean and efficient energy. Currently, the solar plane has kicked started the second half of its journey around the world after hiccups in the batteries.

solar impulse 2 begins its second half journey around the globe

The Solar Impulse 2 completely uses the solar energy to drive its engine with a wingspan of 236 feet, which is slightly less than Airbus A380 - the current largest passenger aircraft. It cruises at an altitude of 39,000 feet.

Powering the solar plane, the Solar Impulse 2 features four electric motors which are powered by solar cells, four of the 41kwh lithium-ion batteries which weighs 633 kgs. The electric motors generate 17.4bhp in each of them, totalling 69.6bhp. The initial take off speed is a 36km/h.

On a multi-day flight, the pilots take turns to fly the plane by taking a 20-minute nap and use yoga to promote blood circulation and keep themselves alert.

As of now, they have covered 7,212 km's and the second half has just begun and will reach their destination from where they actually started, Abu Dhabi.

The Solar Impulse 2 made its route to India as well, landing in March 2016 at Ahmedabad and then went on to Varanasi.

The route Solar Impulse has covered are UAE, Oman, India, Myanmar, China, Japan, Hawaii, and the USA. From the USA, they will move on to Europe or Morocco, and finally, reach Abu Dhabi in UAE.

Pilot Bertrand Piccard told UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon during a brief conversation streamed live on his aircraft's website, "I speak to you from the cockpit of Solar Impulse in the middle of the Pacific, flying only on solar power. No fuel"

Swiss pilot Bertrand Piccard and co-pilot Andre Borschberg are the two people who are attempting to circumvent the globe on a flight which does not run on fuel.

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Read more on: #auto news
Article Published On: Monday, April 25, 2016, 11:49 [IST]
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