ABU DHABI - A plane with the top speed of a homing pigeon is set to embark on a landmark round-the-world flight powered only by the sun's energy, organizers said Tuesday.
Solar Impulse 2, the first solar-powered plane to be able to fly for several days and nights, will land 12 times along its roughly 35,000 kilometer (22,000 mile) trip -- including a five-day stretch above the Pacific Ocean without a drop of fuel.
"We want to demonstrate that clean technology and renewable energy can achieve the impossible," said Solar Impulse chairman Bertrand Piccard, the scion of a dynasty of Swiss scientists-cum-adventurers.
"Renewable energy can become an integral part of our lives, and together we can help save our planet's natural resources."
The carbon fiber, single seater plane has 17,249 solar cells built into its wings that will supply four electric motors and the rechargeable lithium batteries.
Speed at night will be limited to prevent the batteries from being run down too quickly.
Designers say the system gives Si2 "virtually unlimited autonomy".
Aviation enthusiasts will be able to watch a live video stream of the plane's progress once it sets off from Abu Dhabi on its pioneering voyage on the firm's website www.solarimpulse.com.
"Solar Impulse 2 must accomplish what no other plane in the history of aviation has achieved -- flying without fuel for five consecutive days and nights with only one pilot in the unpressurised cockpit," said Andre Borschberg, a former Swiss air force pilot and the company's co-founder and chief executive.
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2015
