Solar-Powered Aircraft Would Circle the Planet
- Share via
From Times Staff and Wire Reports
Swiss adventurer Bertrand Piccard, the first person to pilot a balloon around the world nonstop, plans to circle the planet in a solar-powered aircraft.
Piccard, who circumnavigated Earth in 1999 with Brian Jones of Britain, will lead a team of scientists and aviators in his attempt to fly around the world in a fuel-free plane to be called Solar Impulse.
Lausanne’s Federal Institute of Technology will help build an aircraft that can store enough power to stay aloft all night. Initial test flights are planned for 2006.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
