Solar Impulse Plane

Beachtliche Spannweite von 63,4 m für 1.600 kg / Impressive 63.40 m wingspan for 1,600 kg, originally uploaded by Deutsche Bank AG.

The adventurers of the last century were constantly pushing back the limits of the impossible. Today, human and technological enquiry must go on, aimed at improving the quality of life on our planet.

In building the first solar aircraft able to fly day and night, and piloting it right round the world without fuel or pollution, Solar Impulse's ambition is for the world of exploration and innovation to contribute to the cause of renewable energies, to demonstrate the importance of the new technologies for sustainable development, and to place dream and emotion back at the heart of scientific adventure.

i this picture the aircraft dubbed "Solar Impulse", HB-SIA prototype flies, just before landing, for the first time with test pilot Markus Scherdel on board in the military airport in Payerne, Switzerland, Wednesday, April 7, 2010.

After six years of research, modelling and simulation training the Solar Impulse prototype with a 63.40 metres wingspan aircraft, registered as HB-SIA, is performing a flight of more of 1hour and reaching the altitude of 1000 meters. The Solar Impulse project aims to circumnavigate the world with an aircraft powered only by solar energy. (KEYSTONE/POOL/Laurent Gillieron)