Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Solar-Powered Plane Makes First Successful Flight

Posted by timothy on from the finally-a-daytime-launch dept.

lilbridge writes "The Solar Impulse, a solar-powered plane covered in 12,000 solar cells, took its maiden flight today in Switzerland. The plane stayed aloft for 87 minutes, performing test maneuvers as well as completing a successful takeoff and landing. With the first test flight behind them, the developers can focus on gearing up for their around-the-world solar powered flight set for 2012."

3 of 118 comments (clear)

  1. Today's weather forecast.... by Last_Available_Usern · · Score: 4, Funny

    Partly cloudy with a 100% chance of crash.

  2. Re:What's the point of flying around the world? by oldspewey · · Score: 3, Funny

    Who are these two dozen people, and where exactly are you taking them?

    --
    If libertarians are so opposed to effective government, why don't they all move to Somalia?
  3. Re:Hardware? by Intron · · Score: 3, Funny

    No. It's "Your Wrights Online"

    --
    Intron: the portion of DNA which expresses nothing useful.