Solar Plane Takes Off for 24-Hour Flight

[ The solar plane in action. Video Courtesy of NTDTV ]

[xtypo_dropcap]A[/xtypo_dropcap]n airplane powered only by the sun took off on Wednesday on a 24-hour test flight in Payerne, Switzerland, according to Solar Impulse, the team that developed the experimental airplane. The plane has solar cells on its wings that attempt to generate and store power for a 24-hour flight, including coasting during the night.

The project is funded by Deutsche Bank AG, and sponsored by Omega, a subsidiary of the Swatch Group. The development team doesn’t believe that solar power will replace conventional fuel-powered planes anytime soon, but will prove that emission-free air travel is possible with existing technology.