After being grounded for seven months, an experimental, solar-powered plane is set to continue on a record breaking journey around the world. More than 17,000 solar panels cover the plane's wings and fuselage, allowing the plane to fly using power entirely from the sun.
The Solar Impulse 2 smashed the record for the longest, solar-powered solo flight last summer, with a flight from Japan to Hawaii. But overheating batteries forced the plane to stop its attempt to fly around the world.
The plane was flown for about 90 minutes last week, giving the test pilot a chance to perform maintenance checks and ensure that newly-installed technology was functioning as it should. If everything goes as planned, the solar impulse two will continue its attempt to fly around the world on solar power at the end of April.
Instructional Links
Website: Solar Impulse http://www.solarimpulse.com/
Website Article: How It Works, How does Solar Impulse work? http://www.howitworksdaily.com/how-does-the-solar-impulse-plane-work/