The question on everyone’s mind: What’s going on with Solar Impulse?
Image: Solar Impulse
For any nerd who isn’t aware, Solar Impulse is an aeroplane. The twist? She’s run using solar power. Chris Mills writes for Gizmodo:
Over 17,000 solar cells line its wings, supplying a series of electric motors and charging four on-board lithium batteries. It’s designed to be entirely solar-powered, and, thanks to those batteries, able to fly through day and night.
Solar Impulse’s journey started in March of last year, and this baby has hit all the hottest airports like Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley International Airport and Dayton, Ohio, managing to make two stops in Arizona. No wonder the journey took a mere 505 days. (FWIW, the plane also travelled at the speed of a car.)
Solar Impulse celebrated on Twitter, tagging celebs like Taylor Swift and Justin Timberlake in a tweet revealing the news:
BREAKING: we flew 40’000km without fuel. It’s a first for energy, take it further! #futureisclean pic.twitter.com/JCvKTDBVZx
— SOLAR IMPULSE (@solarimpulse) July 26, 2016
In pilot André Borschberg’s tweet, he gives a shoutout to LeBron James’ fan club’s account and Mashable.
Big news for solar energy advocates and a gentle reminder of the power of the sun.