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This article was first published 12 years ago

Amazing photos of a solar-powered aircraft

Last updated on: June 15, 2012 07:59 IST

Image: Staff push the Solar Impulse's solar-powered HB-SIA prototype airplane after a test flight at Payerne airport.
Photographs: Denis Balibouse/Reuters.

Solar Impulse's solar-powered HB-SIA prototype airplane has successfully completed the world's first intercontinental flight.

The plane has set a record for the longest and highest flight ever made by a  solar plane after it flew for 26 hours and 9 minutes.

Take a look at some of the amazing photos of the flight...

Tags: HB-SIA

Amazing photos of a solar-powered aircraft

Image: Crew members check the Solar Impulse plane.
Photographs: Youssef Boudlal/Reuters.

Crew members check the Solar Impulse plane after it landed following a 19-hour flight from Madrid at Rabat's International airport.

The plane landed in Morocco on Tuesday, completing the world's first intercontinental flight powered by the sun to show the potential for pollution-free air travel.

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Amazing photos of a solar-powered aircraft


Photographs: Denis Balibouse/Reuters.

Solar Impulse's solar-powered HB-SIA prototype airplane with test pilot Markus Scherdel performs a low altitude go-round procedure during a test flight at Payerne airport. 

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Amazing photos of a solar-powered aircraft


Photographs: Christian Hartmann/Reuters.

Solar Impulse CEO and pilot Andre Borschberg sits in a life-size cockpit model of the solar-powered wingspan airplane during a flight simulation at the airport in Duebendorf near Zurich.

Solar Impulse is simulating a 72-hour flight in a full-size mock-up cockpit of their second airplane which is currently under construction.


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Amazing photos of a solar-powered aircraft

Image: The Solar Impulse aircraft is being pulled out of the hangar for take off at Payerne airport.
Photographs: Denis Balibouse/Reuters.

The Solar Impulse HB-SIA prototype aircraft, which has 12,000 solar cells built into its 64.3 metres (193 feet) wings, attempted its first intercontinental flight from Payerne to Rabat in Morocco with a few days for a technical stop and a change of pilot in Madrid.

This flight will act as a final rehearsal for the 2014 round-the-world flight.

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Amazing photos of a solar-powered aircraft


Photographs: Denis Balibouse/Reuters.

Solar Impulse project president and pilot Bertrand Piccard takes off with the solar-powered HB-SIA prototype airplane during a test flight at Payerne airport. 

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Amazing photos of a solar-powered aircraft

Image: Swiss solar-powered airplane Solar Impulse.
Photographs: Michel Euler/Reuters.

Recovery crew members guide the Swiss solar-powered airplane Solar Impulse after it landed at Le Bourget airport, near Paris where it will be exhibited at the Paris Air Show.  

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Amazing photos of a solar-powered aircraft

Image: solar-powered HB-SIA prototype.
Photographs: Thierry Roge/Reuters.

The solar-powered HB-SIA prototype flown by Solar Impulse's Chief Executive Officer and pilot Andre Borschberg, lands at Zaventem's international airport near Brussels.

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Amazing photos of a solar-powered aircraft


Photographs: Denis Balibouse/Reuters.

Solar Impulse's chief executive officer and pilot Andre Borschberg flies in the solar-powered HB-SIA prototype airplane during its first successful night flight attempt at Payerne airport.

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Amazing photos of a solar-powered aircraft


Photographs: Denis Balibouse/Reuters.

Solar Impulse's Chief Executive Officer and pilot Andre Borschberg flies in the solar-powered HB-SIA prototype airplane during its first successful night flight attempt at Payerne airport.

...



Amazing photos of a solar-powered aircraft


Photographs: Denis Balibouse/Reuters.

Solar Impulse's Chief Executive Officer and pilot Andre Borschberg flies over the Neuchatel lake in the solar-powered HB-SIA prototype airplane after its first successful night flight attempt at Payerne airport.

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Amazing photos of a solar-powered aircraft


Photographs: Denis Balibouse/Reuters.

Solar Impulse's solar-powered HB-SIA prototype airplane stands still after its first successful night flight attempt at Payerne airport.

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Tags: HB-SIA , Payerne

Amazing photos of a solar-powered aircraft


Photographs: Denis Balibouse/Reuters.

Solar Impulse's Chief Executive Officer and pilot Andre Borschberg prepares the landing of the solar-powered HB-SIA prototype airplane after its first successful night flight attempt at Payerne airport.

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Amazing photos of a solar-powered aircraft


Photographs: Denis Balibouse/Reuters.

Solar Impulse's Chief Executive Officer and pilot Andre Borschberg is followed by a team member on a bicycle, as he lands the solar-powered HB-SIA prototype at Cointrin International airport in Geneva.

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Amazing photos of a solar-powered aircraft


Photographs: Denis Balibouse/Reuters.

Team members push the solar-powered HB-SIA prototype after it successful landing on the tarmac of Cointrin International airport in Geneva.


Tags: HB-SIA , Geneva