Solar Impulse plane departs Japan, headed for Hawaii

TOKYO (AP) — A solar-powered plane attempting to circumnavigate the globe without fuel took off from Japan early Monday after an unscheduled, month-long stop.

The Solar Impulse 2 departed around 3 a.m. from an airport in Nagoya in central Japan. The plane with one pilot is attempting a 120-hour flight to Hawaii, the longest leg of its journey so far.

The plane requires the right weather conditions, and organizers were withholding an official announcement of the takeoff until they are sure the flight can continue.

"A formal communiqué will be issued once Solar Impulse has passed the Point of No Return and that we know that the Pilot André Borschberg is on a safe track to reach Hawaii," the press team said in an email to journalists.

The Solar Impulse originally left Nanjing, China, for Hawaii, but diverted to Japan on June 1 because of unfavorable weather ahead. It has been waiting for the right conditions to depart.

The flight over the Pacific to Hawaii is risky because there is no place to land in an emergency.

The Solar Impulse 2 is powered by more than 17,000 solar cells on its wings that recharge its batteries, enabling it to fly.

The project is meant to demonstrate the potential of improved energy efficiency and clean power, though solar-powered air travel is not yet commercially practical.


-- (c) Associated Press 2015-06-29

...are we supposed to know all about it already....

They are a good proof that the technology isn't ready for anything that is mobile....

It's good to hear some refreshing news for a change, instead of the steady drumbeat of Islamist extremists blowing themselves up, and Islamists fleeing their miserable hovels for sanctuary in farang countries.

Suggestion for a new T.Visa category:

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY AND INNOVATIONS

They are a good proof that the technology isn't ready for anything that is mobile....

There come times when innovation starts in small clumsy ways - which can possibly lead to slick usable tech.

An unknown Italian named Volta invented the first battery, which was flimsy and had barely any output. He didn't get any support in his Lake Como district, so he sent the invention by mail to British scientists, who saw the potential immediately.

The Wright brothers' prototype was flimsy and only flew 400 feet. Less than 100 years later there was the SR71 flying 3x the speed of sound.

It's good to hear some refreshing news for a change, instead of the steady drumbeat of Islamist extremists blowing themselves up, and Islamists fleeing their miserable hovels for sanctuary in farang countries.

Suggestion for a new T.Visa category:

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY AND INNOVATIONS

That's like watching paint dry. Over the years so many "new inventions" and ameliorations have been announced in batteries , solarpanels,...Not much has reached the marketplace.

Never say die!

It's good to hear some refreshing news for a change, instead of the steady drumbeat of Islamist extremists blowing themselves up, and Islamists fleeing their miserable hovels for sanctuary in farang countries.

Suggestion for a new T.Visa category:

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY AND INNOVATIONS

That's like watching paint dry. Over the years so many "new inventions" and ameliorations have been announced in batteries , solarpanels,...Not much has reached the marketplace.

Well, I guess some people are interested in innovations, and others aren't. So it goes.