With a wingspan longer than Boeing's 747 jumbo jet, the Solar Impulse 2 took off from its home base in Switzerland on its maiden flight this week. First unveiled to the public in April, the solar-powered craft is set to attempt an around-the-world flight next year.
The Solar Impulse 2 took 50 engineers, 80 technological partners, and 100 technical advisors 12 years to conceptualize, design, and build. All of their work culminated in this week's two hour-long test flight.
The Solar Impulse 2 draws power from 17,200 solar cells.
Wing-mounted solar cells power the craft's 4 electric motors.
With drive going through 4 propellers, the craft can reach a top speed of 87 mph.
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