The Solar Impulse is 90 percent done with its world-wide trip. The Solar Impulse runs entirely on solar energy and has crossed both the Atlantic and Pacific. (via Solar Impulse)
Solar is the go-to choice for alternative energy. Anything from simple household lights to subway trains have the ability to run on sun power. But perhaps more amazing is the Solar Impulse, an aircraft powered on the sun's energy alone. The plane is amazing on its own, but last week it achieved an even bigger feat: the Solar Impulse became the first aircraft to cross the Atlantic entirely on solar power.
Pilot Bertrand Piccard started the 71 hour flight started on Monday, June 20 in New York and arrived in Seville, Spain on Wednesday, June 23 at 1:38 AM ET. This also makes it the second longest flight so far, right behind Charles Lindbergh's record breaking Spirit of St. Louis Atlantic crossing. The flight was a smash success, but Piccard wasn't alone on his journey. Andre Borschberg helped plan and follow the flight with other mission engineers at the Mission Control Center in Monaco. He then rushed to Seville, Spain to prep the ground crew for Piccard's landing.
"It is symbolic because all the means of transportation have always tried to cross the Atlantic, the first steamboats, the first aeroplane, the first balloons, the first airships and, today, it is the first solar-powered aeroplane," Piccard said in an interview with The Guardian.
Because it uses solar power rather than traditional fuel, the 236 foot wide plane can theoretically stay aloft forever, as long as weather conditions and pilot endurance is stable. There's no question the flights are long, but they aren't dull according to Piccard. He describes the journey as a mix of awe and tension like riding a roller coaster. "Every minute is a minute of suspense, a minute of challenge, and the fact I can stay [aloft] without fuel or pollution for four days and four nights is something so new,” said Piccard.
Having crossed the Atlantic, the team's goal of traveling around the world is 90 percent done. Back in April, Piccard and the rest of the team completed crossing the Pacific, which took 62 hours. The trip started in Hawaii and finally landed in California. Having conquered both the Atlantic and the Pacific, what's next for Solar Impulse? After three more flights, the trip will finish in Abu Dhabi where it all started. Piccard and the plane will take a much needed break in Saville before heading towards Egypt or Greece.
If a plane can make these long trips entirely on solar power, does this mean the energy will be implemented in other vehicles? It's possible. There are already talks about running entire subway systems on solar energy and there are already cars that use the alternative source. Though it may work, it probably won't replace traditional fuels, especially in large metropolitan areas that rely on stable and plentiful fuel to run on schedule or as close to on time as it can. But as the Solar Impulse shows, anything's possible.
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