Solar plane makes 24-hour test flight

Last Updated: Thursday, July 8, 2010 | 1:52 AM ET

The Associated Press

Solar Impulse's CEO and pilot Andre Borschberg took off from Switzerland in the solar-powered HB-SIA prototype for its first night flight on Wednesday. (Denis Balibouse/Keystone/Pool/Associated Press)

The Swiss team behind an experimental solar-powered plane says it has remained aloft for a record 24 hours.

Engineers in the Solar Impulse control room and pilot Andre Borschberg cheered loudly in Switzerland on Thursday as the plane passed the historic milestone shortly before 7 a.m. local time.

The prototype plane is studded with 12,000 solar cells that stored enough energy during the day to last through the night.

The team's ultimate goal is to fly an improved version of the aircraft around the world in five stages in 2013.

Stay Connected with CBC News

Big Box Advertisement

Top News Headlines

Montreal mayor resigns amid corruption charges

Montreal mayor resigns amid corruption charges: Montreal Mayor Michael Applebaum has resigned in the wake of corruption charges being laid against him, although he maintains he is innocent. more »

G8 leaders agree to 7-point plan on Syria as summit wraps: Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the other G8 leaders reach a seven-point plan aimed at stopping the conflict in Syria, wrapping up a two-day summit in Northern Ireland following talks on trade, tax evasion, poverty and terrorism. more »
Are e-cigarettes safe to puff?: As electronic or e-cigarettes grow in popularity, some health advocates want them to be regulated. more »
In Bangladesh's garment trade, empowerment comes at $20 a week: The pay is laughable by Western standards, and the shantytowns of Dhaka offer a difficult life. But the surge of mostly young women into the country's increasingly important clothing industry is having a profound change on this largely Islamic society, Margaret Evans writes. more »
Tory MP bows to Elections Canada in fight over expenses: Conservative MP Shelly Glover has bowed to Elections Canada in a battle over her 2011 campaign expenses, days after filing a court challenge against the agency. more »

Must Watch

Latest Technology & Science News Headlines

Federal open data portal revamp aims to encourage apps

Federal open data portal revamp aims to encourage apps: The federal government has revamped its data portal in an effort to encourage the development of innovative apps that make use of the publicly accessible federal government data on topics ranging from housing to air quality. more »

Huge ancient city at Angkor Wat revealed by lasers: Airborne laser technology has uncovered a network of roadways and canals, illustrating a bustling ancient city linking Cambodia's famed Angkor Wat temple complex. more »
Google pledges to rid the web of child pornography: If any one company could conceivably stop the sexual exploitation of children online, Google would be a likely contender - but not even the web's most ubiquitous search engine can tackle such a widespread problem without help. more »
iPad helps break down barriers for deaf student: A U.S. pilot study is examining how mobile technology might support the deaf and hard-of-hearing at college. more »
Experts search Lake Michigan for 17th century shipwreck: French and U.S. experts searching for the 17th century ship Griffin, which they believe sank in Lake Michigan in 1679. more »

More Headlines »

Bob McDonald's Blog

After Hadfield, who's the next Canadian in space? Jun. 13, 2013 12:01 PM Canada's singing astronaut announced his retirement this week, leaving Jeremy Hansen and David Saint-Jacques to fill his space boots. But there is no date set for when the next Canadian will fly in space.

Quirks & Quarks

June 15: Quirks Question Roadshow from Halifax Jun. 14, 2013 3:53 PM You provided the questions, and we have the answers on our annual award-winning, brain-teasing, audience-pleasing, Google-seizing Quirks Question Roadshow - this year from Halifax.