Solar plane begins its first flight around the world – Terra Colombia

The solar-powered aircraft “Solar Impulse 2″ took off this morning from Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, Oman bound to cover the first stage of a five-month trip around the world.

At 07.12 hours of the morning (03.12 GMT) today (03/09/2015), the pilot André Borschberg, in command of this ship powered only by solar energy, took off the wheels, in the midst of a inusitado- silence Track Al Batin Airport, bound for Muscat, capital of the Sultanate of Oman, where it is expected to arrive after a 12 hour flight.

During this period, Borschberg will cross the skies solo the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula to cover about 400 miles between the two cities. Your tour will stop in Muscat, but will face over 11 stages, without a drop of fossil fuel for circumnavigating the globe.

The plane has enormous “wings” 72 meter wingspan-those of a Boeing 747 Jumbo measured 68.5 yards away; and is covered with a thin layer of carbon fiber which houses 17,248 solar cells to give autonomy to five nights and five days.

Maximum speed of 90 km

The maximum speed at which the airplane can surf is 90 km / h at sea level and 140 km / hour at its maximum altitude 8,500 meters. The cabin has a volume of 3.8 square meters, enough to store oxygen, food, water, parachutes and other equipment necessary for the pilot, and has an ergonomic seat that reclines so that the occupant can sit, stretch and even exercise.

This is the second prototype of this “dream”. The first, lighter and less powerful, made its first flight in 2010 and won, among others, traveling 26 hours straight, and cross the US from coast to coast in five stages. The new aircraft also includes the news that is completely sealed, so you can fly safely in the rain.

By day, the unit will fly at an altitude of 8500 meters and night to save energy will descend to 1,500 meters. In total, to go around the world, the aircraft will travel 35,000 kilometers at an average speed of between 50 and 100 km.

After Oman, the following steps are India, and Burma before the highest stage of the journey, which a Nankin in China, Hawaii, assumed to last five days. Then the aircraft will cross the United States, will stop in southern Europe and North Africa before coming back to Abu Dhabi.

CP (efe, RTR)