Around the World in 25 DAYS Non-Stop - in a SOLAR Powered Plane

The man who in 1999 had circled the globe non-stop in a balloon is now eyeing to set the record of flying around the world in a solar-powered airplane. Swiss adventurer Bertrand Piccard unveiled in Zurich-Duebendorf a prototype of his creation named HBSIA, which he would employ in his around-the-world trip.

The prototype version spans 61m but weighs just 1,500kg and is scheduled for trials to establish that it can fly even in the dark, the aim being to demonstrate the immense benefits that can be harnessed from renewable sources of energy. Lithium batteries are to be used to make flying in the night a possiblity.

The flight would traverse the United Arab Emirates - China - Hawaii - Southern US - Southern Europe - (back to) UAE route. The vehicle can fly non-stop but the pilot might not be able to catch up. Hence, Piccard will accomodate five long hops in his round trip alongwith flying partner Andre Borschberg. At around 25 knots, the world can be circled in 20 to 25 days flat.

HB-SIA, in time will be replaced by HB-SIB, a bigger version of the prototype that will incorporate better avionics and a pressurised capsule. The full scale version will be called 'Solar Impulse'. It remains to be seen how and in which spheres the world will embrace renewable energies in times to come.

- myVox