Solar Impulse 2: Solar plane pilot set for 6-day leg - BBC News

The first round-the-world solar-powered flight, known as the Solar Impulse Two, is hoping to make the next and most difficult leg of its journey. André Borschberg, the co-founder and pilot of Solar Impulse, said he cannot wait to take off for the next leg.

[BBCNews]

The first round-the-world solar-powered flight, known as the Solar Impulse Two, is hoping to make the next and most difficult leg of its journey. André Borschberg, the co-founder and pilot of Solar Impulse, said he cannot wait to take off for the next leg.

[michellelewis]

I wonder what the development budget is of the tremendously worthwhile project for solar powered flight? When carbon emissions specifically and energy consumption in general are of such great importance, I suspect that development money is a tiny fraction of the costs to develop one new airliner or even a new engine for an airliner. I think this goes to show that corporate interests heavily entrenched in the conventional aircraft industry are not backing solar flight, or are doing so but at a deliberately low level. Its not hard to imagine a huge delta wing with significant solar potential and amazing range at low flight cost once built. Profitable industries really dont like changes that puts significant areas of their industry in danger of having to modify!! Its like the electric car in the 70's and 80's all over again....