Solar-Powered Plane Completes Historic First Pacific Crossing
The first plane to use clean and renewable energy has done it. It was airborne for 62 hours over the Pacific Ocean, and finally, the Solar Impulse 2, the experimental aircraft, has crossed the most challenging part of its long journey, from Hawaii to San Francisco. It got down at Mountain View, Calif., on Saturday.
It had left for its journey last year in Dubai, with stops in Oman, Myanmar, China, Japan and Hawaii. Its battery system suddenly got affected with heat damage when it took off from Japan. Hence, it got grounded for months even as the crew repaired the damage.
The aircraft took off once again with one of its pilots, Bertrand Piccard, who alternates with Andre Borschberg.
The riskiest journey was the Hawaii-to-San Francisco leg due to the absence of lack of emergency landing areas. If it meets trouble, Piccard would have been forced to parachute from it.
Still, the plane finished its triumphant crossing.
"The Pacific is done, my friend. I love it, but it's done. It's great to be in California, the land of pioneers. Innovation and pioneering must continue. The clean tech revolution has to keep moving forward," Piccard said.
Piccard, a doctor, recalled that it was one of the "most amazing" experiences in his life.
"I bet that in 10 years, electric airplanes will be transporting up to 50 people. This will happen. This is not science fiction. It is real," he said.
This most ambitious project is estimated to cost upward of $100 million, but this journey is considered to be an ambitious step forward for technological innovation.
