This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-31957191
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Solar Impulse: Fuel-free aeroplane arrives in Myanmar | |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Solar Impulse has arrived in Mandalay in Myanmar (Burma). | |
In doing so, the solar-powered plane has completed the fourth leg in its historic bid to fly around the world powered only by the Sun's rays. | |
Project chairman Bertrand Piccard piloted the vehicle, taking off from Varanasi in India early on Thursday. | |
The trip, which involved crossing the waters of the Bay of Bengal and a tall mountain range, was about 1,400km in length. | |
The aeroplane is a single-seater, and Piccard takes it in turn with project CEO Andre Borschberg to guide Solar Impulse on its circumnavigation of the globe. | |
So far, the pair have covered about 4,500km since beginning their adventure in Abu Dhabi on 9 March. | |
It will likely be another five months before they return to the United Arab Emirates, having crossed both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans in the process. | It will likely be another five months before they return to the United Arab Emirates, having crossed both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans in the process. |
The Solar Impulse project has already set plenty of world records, including the greatest distance covered in a single solar-powered flight. | The Solar Impulse project has already set plenty of world records, including the greatest distance covered in a single solar-powered flight. |
This was the 1,468km attained on leg two from Muscat in Oman to Ahmedabad. | This was the 1,468km attained on leg two from Muscat in Oman to Ahmedabad. |
The wingspan of the vehicle is 72m, which exceeds that of a 747 jumbo jet airliner. It does, however, only weigh 2.3 tonnes. | The wingspan of the vehicle is 72m, which exceeds that of a 747 jumbo jet airliner. It does, however, only weigh 2.3 tonnes. |
Its light weight will be critical to its success over the coming months. | Its light weight will be critical to its success over the coming months. |
So, too, will the performance of the 17,000 solar cells that line the top of the wings, and the energy-dense lithium-ion batteries it will use to sustain night-time flying. | So, too, will the performance of the 17,000 solar cells that line the top of the wings, and the energy-dense lithium-ion batteries it will use to sustain night-time flying. |
The Pacific and Atlantic crossings will require Solar Impulse to fly non-stop for several days at a time. | The Pacific and Atlantic crossings will require Solar Impulse to fly non-stop for several days at a time. |
This will put tremendous stress on Borschberg and Piccard, who will be permitted only short cat-naps on these long legs. | This will put tremendous stress on Borschberg and Piccard, who will be permitted only short cat-naps on these long legs. |
The Solar Impulse venture recalls other great circumnavigation feats in aviation - albeit fuelled ones. | The Solar Impulse venture recalls other great circumnavigation feats in aviation - albeit fuelled ones. |
In 1986, the Voyager aircraft became the first to fly around the world without stopping or refuelling. | In 1986, the Voyager aircraft became the first to fly around the world without stopping or refuelling. |
Piloted by Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager, the propeller-driven vehicle took nine days to complete its journey. | Piloted by Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager, the propeller-driven vehicle took nine days to complete its journey. |
Then, in 2005, this time was beaten by the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer, which was solo-piloted by Steve Fossett. | Then, in 2005, this time was beaten by the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer, which was solo-piloted by Steve Fossett. |
A jet-powered plane, GlobalFlyer completed its non-stop circumnavigation in just under three days. | A jet-powered plane, GlobalFlyer completed its non-stop circumnavigation in just under three days. |
Jonathan.Amos-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk and follow me on Twitter: @BBCAmos | Jonathan.Amos-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk and follow me on Twitter: @BBCAmos |