Solar Impulse 2: Photos of the Historic Round-the-World Flight

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A solar-powered plane has embarked on an unprecedented flight around the world. The aircraft, known as Solar Impulse 2, is designed to fly day and night without using any fuel. The plane took off from Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, and will circumnavigate the globe as part of an initiative that is expected to last until July. Check out these photos of the Solar Impulse 2 mission. [Read full story about the solar-powered plane’s flight]

 

Solar Impulse 2 took off from Al Bateen Executive Airport in Abu Dhabi, to kick off the first leg of its round-the-world flight. The plane’s first stop will be in Oman. (Credit: © Solar Impulse)

 

Solar Impulse 2 is loaded into a cargo plane to prepare for the first-of-its-kind flight around the world. The plane began its historic journey in Abu Dhabi, but will make stops in Oman, India, Myanmar, China, and the United States along the way. The plane will also touch down in either southern Europe or North Africa, before returning to Abu Dhabi. (Credit: © Solar Impulse | Revillard | Rezo.ch)

 

 

One of Solar Impulse 2’s massive wings is loaded into the cargo plane. The ultra-lightweight aircraft has a wingspan of 236 feet (72 meters). (Credit: © Solar Impulse | Revillard | Rezo.ch)

 

Solar Impulse 2 is powered entirely by solar panels and onboard batteries, which charge during the day. This enables the plane to continue flying even when the sun goes down, including throughout the night. (Credit: © Solar Impulse | Revillard | Rezo.ch)

 

Test pilot Markus Scherdel in the cockpit, during early tests of the Solar Impulse 2. (Credit: © Solar Impulse)

 

Solar Impulse 2 soars over fields in Payerne, Switzerland, during a test flight. (Credit: © Solar Impulse | Revillard | Rezo.ch)

 

In 2013, Swiss pilots and Solar Impulse co-founders André Borschberg and Bertrand Piccard took turns piloting a first-generation prototype of the solar-powered plane on a coast-to-coast journey across the United States. (Credit: © Solar Impulse | Revillard | Rezo.ch)

 

The Solar Impulse 2 lands after the first leg of its record-setting around the world flight. (Credit: © Solar Impulse)

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