After delays and a slight change in plans, the first-of-its-kind flight around the world by a solar plane finally took off with the toughest leg yet — the Pacific Ocean. Next stop? Hawaii.
The Solar Impulse 2 was to cross the Pacific from Nanjing, China, but it was forced to land in Nagoya, Japan, due to weather on June 1. It had been delayed in Japan by repairs and weather, including last week’s scheduled launch which was also postponed.
Yesterday, the Solar Impulse 2 quietly departed from Japan, the team now reporting that pilot André Borschberg has passed a “point of no return” en route to Hawaii in this first-of-its-kind crossing — 5,000 miles and five days.
You can watch the action live as it unfolds on their site and on Twitter below:
.@bertrandpiccard's #futureisclean paper plane is on its way to #COP21! Make yours follow it: http://t.co/CqrEOtEfYK pic.twitter.com/hAMw09VSzt
— SOLAR IMPULSE (@solarimpulse) June 29, 2015
After 16h of flight, #Si2 passed the non-return point & is entering the night. #futureisclean http://t.co/JIj9tHK6hl pic.twitter.com/hh1k1nuRBw
— SOLAR IMPULSE (@solarimpulse) June 29, 2015
Some selfies received directly from #Si2's cockpit today! Great spirit! @andreborschberg http://t.co/kZc17xtmNT pic.twitter.com/pFp20MzhN5
— SOLAR IMPULSE (@solarimpulse) June 29, 2015
We’ve been watching the Solar Impulse 2 since the team announced the around the world journey. The main drivers of the project, pilot Bertrand Piccard and co-pilot/lead engineer Borschberg built the Solar Impulse 2 with the ultimate goal of circling the globe without using any fuel. The 12-leg, multi-week flight took off in March from Abu Dhabi.
The Solar Impulse 2‘s measurements are pretty impressive: It has a 236-foot wingspan, 17,000 solar cells, weighs about 5,000 pounds (a little more than the average light car or truck), and can achieve a top speed of about 90 mph, according to the Solar Impulse site.
The team seems to have a good sense of humor about the delay. They’ve even introduced a cartoon shark named Joe that’s following the flight.
As cute as Joe is, we hope to see the Solar Impulse in the States soon.
