Hotline: 0274 383 347
Monday, 25-8-25 06:17:23

World

Hotline: 0274 383 347

Solar plane set for inaugural flight

The Solar Impulse 2 will take off from Payerne airfield in Switzerland.

It is a larger, upgraded version of the aircraft that flew across America last year with adventurers Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg at the controls.

The two men want to push the boundaries for alternative energy and believe their plane can be a standard bearer.

The SI2 has completed a series of ground and taxi tests in recent weeks that saw it almost reach take-off speed on the runway.

Project leaders are now confident all systems are ready to go airborne, and the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation is satisfied the vehicle is airworthy.

Assuming the weather is compliant, the plane should take to the skies above Switzerland at about 07:30 Central European Summer Time (05:30 GMT; 06:30 BST).

The carbon-fibre aircraft has a huge wingspan, which at 72m is wider than a Boeing 747 jet. And yet, the vehicle weighs only 2.3 tonnes.

The tops of the wings are covered by 17,000 solar cells, which drive four brushless electric motors at speeds of up to 140km/h (90mph).

During the day, the solar cells will recharge lithium batteries, which can then be used to keep the SI2’s propellers turning through the night.

The first Solar Impulse plane set a number of world records, including the longest manned solar-powered flight at 26 hours, the first inter-continental flight in a solar-powered plane, and the greatest distance covered on a piloted solar-powered flight. (Autonomous solar-powered drones can stay aloft for weeks).

That last record was set during Piccard’s and Borschberg’s epic TransAmerica journey in May, June and July last year.

But as challenging as that effort was, it will be dwarfed by the difficulty and complexity of completing a global flight.

This is because it will have to include passage across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The latter could take all of five days and nights to complete.

Only one pilot can fit in the cockpit. It has a reclining seat to make room for exercising and to permit Piccard and Borschberg, whoever is at the controls, to take short catnaps.

BBC

Tags:

Malaysia launches ASEAN startup platform

Malaysia’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation on June 25 officially launched “Startup ASEAN”,

ASEAN steps up terrorism fight in digital age

The Southeast Asia Regional Centre for Counter‑Terrorism (SEARCCT) under Malaysia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs held an international conference in Kuala Lumpur on June 24

Singapore's core inflation falls in May

Singapore’s core inflation and overall inflation are projected to average between 0.5% and 1.5% this year.

Indonesia concludes FTA talks with Eurasian Economic Union

Indonesia and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) have officially concluded negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA), aiming to sign the deal later this year,

ASEAN education ministers agree on joint statement on student dropout

The key content of the document titled "Accelerating Innovative Strategies: Addressing the OOSCY Challenges"

ASEAN reaffirms commitment to advancing green energy agenda

The 43rd ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Energy (SOME), held from June 16–18, marked a significant milestone as member states reached consensus on key strategic agendas

Indonesia to start operating first ocean power plant in 2028

The project is planned to be developed in two phases with each phase of 20 MW in East Nusa Tenggara and West Nusa Tenggara.

ASEAN identified as strategic partner of Argentina

In 2023, trade turnover between Argentina and ASEAN exceeded 9 billion USD, with Argentina

Leaders extend congratulations on Russia Day

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam and State President Luong Cuong on June 12 cabled their messages of congratulations to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the occasion of Russia Day (June 12, 1990).

Indonesia aims to stop corn imports in 2026

President Prabowo noted that in 2024, the country imported around 500,000 tonnes of corn.

Enterprise - Brand

Company Social Media Net

Company VIETNAMNAY

Company HANEL MIROLIN

Company Keangnam - vina

Company HP Travel

Company Keloph