Switzerland’s solar-powered aircraft Solar Impulse 2 made history by completing a 40,000-km journey around the world using nothing but sunlight. The plane, piloted by Swiss explorers Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg, flew across Asia, the Pacific, the United States, the Atlantic, and back to Europe, showcasing the remarkable potential of clean technology.
The aircraft’s innovative design allowed it to capture energy during the day and store it in onboard batteries to fly through the night, making it the first plane to circle the globe without a single drop of fuel. “We wanted to show that we can fly day and night with no fuel, just on solar power,” said Bertrand Piccard, co-founder and co-pilot of the Solar Impulse project.
The plane’s wingspan is wider than a Boeing 747, but it weighs only as much as a family car, thanks to its lightweight materials and advanced engineering. André Borschberg, co-founder and co-pilot, emphasized the significance of the mission, saying, “We have shown that the infinite blue sky is not the limit – that it can become an unlimited source of clean energy.”
The Solar Impulse 2’s journey demonstrates the potential of renewable energy and sustainable innovation, inspiring industries worldwide to rethink what’s possible without fossil fuels. The mission’s success has sparked a new wave of interest in clean technology and sustainable aviation.