A solar powered plane - which makers hope will soon be able to fly around the world - has begun a 24-hour test flight.The Solar Impulse HB-SIA is being tested by pilot Andre Borschberg to see if it can fly at night using energy stored from solar cells in its wings.
It took off from the Payerne airbase in Switzerland at 6.51am and will ascend to an altitude of 8,500 metres, while charging its batteries in preparation for the night flight.
Andre will then slowly descend through the night, aiming for a dawn landing… but he won't have travelled too far, the plane currently has a top speed of just 28mph.
"The intention of this mission is to demonstrate the potential of renewable energy and clean technologies and to promote them amongst the public," explains Bertrand Piccard, initiator and President of Solar Impulse.
"After 4 space missions, I experience the same excitement being part of this revolutionary project!" added Claude Nicollier, Head of the Solar Impulse test flight programme.
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