Solar-powered plane makes first international flightMay 13, 2011 - 14:05 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A team of Swiss adventurers took their solar-powered plane on its first international flight Friday, May 13, a 370-mile (600-kilometer) leap from a small airfield in Switzerland to Brussels airport in Belgium. The Solar Impulse HB-SIA single-seater prototype took off from Payerne airfield in Switzerland at 8:40 a.m. (0640 GMT) after a three-hour delay due to strong winds. It is expected to reach Brussels by nightfall. The plane with the wingspan of a Boeing 777 made its 2009 maiden flight in Switzerland and further tests have all taken place there. Last year it completed a 26-hour non-stop flight that proved the plane can stay aloft at night from the solar energy its 12,000 solar cells soaked up during the day. The team, led by pilot Andre Borschberg and adventurer Bertrand Piccard, said Friday's flight across France, Luxembourg and Belgium poses a fresh challenge as it requires navigation across international air traffic networks. They hope to fly an improved version of the plane around the world in 2012, AP reports. The flight can be followed on the team's website, where visitors can track the plane's progress live on a map and see key parameters such as altitude, ground speed, battery levels and how much energy its solar cells are generating.   Top stories As a result of floods in Armenia’s northern Lori and Tavush provinces, 17 bridges, including five large ones, have collapsed. David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with Stephan Schütz, Executive Partner at Gerkan, Marg and Partners. The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said.   Partner news Most popular in the section |  Related sections Latest news Aliyev: No peace treaty unless Armenia changes constitution  Azerbaijan will not sign a peace treaty with Armenia unless the latter changes its constitution, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said.Azerbaijan proposes Armenia to jointly seek cancelation of Minak Group The Azerbaijani President maintained that the move will show “how sincere Armenia is.”Seven injured in massive gas station explosion in Armenia The Investigative Committee of Armenia has unveiled details about a massive explosion at a gas station on the Yerevan-Sevan highway.Pashinyan’s spokesperson denies intention to visit Baku for COP29 Pashinyan’s agenda doesn’t include a trip to Baku for the COP29 conference, his press secretary Nazeli Baghdasaryan has said. |
