Solar-powered plane begins circumglobal journey

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – A Swiss solar-powered plane took off from Abu Dhabi early today, marking the start of the first attempt to fly around the world without a drop of fuel.

Solar Impulse founder Andri Borschberg was at the controls of the single-seater when it took off from the Al Bateen Executive Airport. Borschberg will trade off piloting with Solar Impulse co-founder Bertrand Piccard during stop-overs on a journey that will take months to complete.

The plane is expected to reach its first destination – Muscat, Oman – after about 10 hours of flight.

The lightweight Solar Impulse 2, a larger version of a single-seat prototype that first flew five years ago, is made of carbon fiber and has 17,248 solar cells built into the wing that supply the plane with renewable energy. The solar cells recharge four lithium polymer batteries.

The company said the plane has a 236-foot wingspan, larger than that of the Boeing 747, but weighs about as much as a car at around 5,070 pounds.