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Solar Impulse 2 Completes Record-Breaking Flight

Posted by Soulskill on from the don't-let-the-sun-go-down-on-them dept.

An anonymous reader writes: Solar Impulse 2, the airplane powered only by the sun's light, has completed its flight from Japan to Hawaii. The distance sets the record for manned, solar-powered flight, both by distance (7,200 km, according to the BBC) and by time spent aloft (118 hours). This was one leg in a longer journey to fly around the world, and by far the longest they've attempted. Their next leg will send them across the rest of the Pacific Ocean, landing in Phoenix, Arizona. Then they'll stop off at New York before crossing the Atlantic Ocean on their way back to the journey's starting point, Abu Dhabi. Pilot Andre Borschberg was in good shape, despite spending almost five consecutive days in command of the aircraft. He was only allowed to sleep for up to 20 minutes at a time, so he took about a dozen naps every day. He did this at an altitude of 9,000 meters, and while taking medication to prevent thrombosis. Borschberg's partner, Bertrand Piccard, will fly the aircraft during the next leg to Phoenix. This will happen as soon as the plane is checked out and meteorologists think the weather will be placid enough for a safe crossing.

21 comments

  1. Long flights with "fasten seatbelts" light on by NoNonAlphaCharsHere · · Score: 4, Funny

    I wish American Airlines passed out medication to prevent thrombosis.

    1. Re:Long flights with "fasten seatbelts" light on by pesho · · Score: 2

      I am sure they will, bur first you need to upgrade to "coach plus/minus"

  2. Japan to Hawaii by tomhath · · Score: 4, Informative

    I kind of wondered why a Japan to Hawaii leg was chosen, but when you look at the prevailing winds it makes sense. Probably the only route the plane could possibly complete.

    1. Re:Japan to Hawaii by brambus · · Score: 1

      Looking at the route, it flew on average about 30kts over the ground. That's basically ocean liner speed. A high-altitude balloon would probably be faster.

    2. Re:Japan to Hawaii by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Google maps shows a number of emergency landing sites near the route: Midway Island and Kure atoll with a runway on Green Island. There are also other islands suitable only for a crash landing. They are part of a chain of sea mounts West-north-west of Hawaii. You need to zoom in a lot to see them, though, as they are very small in a very big ocean.

  3. Re:Yeah, we know. Everyone else reported it yester by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Slashdot has never been a site for BREAKING NEWS, save for huge events like 9/11. Its value has always in the discussion, which you're not doing much for.

  4. Exclusively solar powered? by phayes · · Score: 1

    the airplane powered only by the sun's light

    So, after each leg, they exclusively use the solar cells to make sure that the batteries are at 100% charge before attempting the next leg? No plugging into the electric lines?

    --
    Democracy is a sheep and two wolves deciding what to have for lunch. Freedom is a well armed sheep contesting the issue
  5. Two pilots, one flies for five days straight? by Leuf · · Score: 1

    One pilot takes 20 minute naps for 5 days in between flying the plane, while the second pilot sits there waiting for the next leg where they will do the same thing. Who came up with this idea?

    1. Re:Two pilots, one flies for five days straight? by tomhath · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Probably the same guy who told them the plane doesn't have the capacity to carry another person and associated provisions. It's basically a minimally powered glider.

    2. Re:Two pilots, one flies for five days straight? by Todd+Palin · · Score: 1

      Almost any aircraft would change altitude or course to avoid unfavorable winds or find favorable winds. You are nit-picking something that would be totally stupid to NOT DO. When an aircraft has a cruising speed comparable to a motor bike, every tiny bit of wind has a huge effect. You don't get any extra credit for setting a distance record against the wind.

    3. Re:Two pilots, one flies for five days straight? by Cthulhu's+Physicist · · Score: 1

      The aircraft and the technology are impressive enough in their own right. The team and the sponsors that made this happen are not lightweights by any measure! However the real point of this project and adventure is basically twofold. One, to prove that off the shelf technology is available to be applied to real world applications right now, PV and battery technology is quite mature already and it does work. The second point is that whether we like it or not we, as a global industrial civilization are on the cusp of a historical transition to a completely new energy paradigm. BAU and fossil fuels got us here but from here on things will be changing at a very fast pace. We will all have to make do, and do better, with less available energy. Some of us will rise to the challenge and hopefully forge a new better and cleaner future with a smaller ecological footprint. Clinging to the old paradigm is a mistake!

  6. yawn by swell · · Score: 1

    Tell me about it when they don't have the wind pushing them forward. Try crossing the Pacific from east to west.

    --
    ...omphaloskepsis often...
    1. Re:yawn by FlyHelicopters · · Score: 1

      From East to West?

      It is quite possible it would never arrive, or if it did, could take months.

    2. Re:yawn by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      according to this it looks like east to west would have a much larger envelope.
      http://earth.nullschool.net/#current/wind/surface/level/orthographic=-164.96,13.69,347

    3. Re:yawn by JoeMerchant · · Score: 1

      Solar power was providing enough lift to keep his butt (and the overnight batteries) aloft - that's enough to be more impressive than a balloon.

  7. Did they use solar power for takeoff? by Mister+Null · · Score: 1

    I would really appreciate any answers to my question, Thanks.