SCIENCE This expectation of uncertain duration allows the Swiss driver of the futuristic craft, André Borschberg, to resume strength …
The revolutionary aircraft Solar Impulse 2 (Si2), constrained by the vagaries of weather in an unexpected stopover in Japan, was preparing Tuesday to an expectation of uncertain duration on . the tarmac of Nagoya, before resuming his journey to Hawaii
The calm prevailed at the airport after the bustle of the day: only trying to see some curious the unusual craft from a nearby park. Upon landing, the stunned inhabitants thought they saw a UFO, some even calling the local police.
The Swiss pilot André Borschberg took up in turn forces after an eventful journey. He was to be joined later in the day by team members who bring in their luggage a large inflatable hangar to protect the unit from weather.
“Si2 is now parked in Nagoya. What a flight! Look forward to continuing this journey with Bertrand Piccard, “buddy, wrote 62 years adventurer on his Twitter account on the night (local time).
He had taken airs Sunday at 2:39 (8:39 p.m. in Paris Saturday) to Nanjing (China) to the most dangerous stage of its world tour to promote renewable energy, particularly solar energy. But his Pacific crossing, expected to last six days and nights for a distance of 8,500 km, was cut short when the weather deteriorated and the plane had to land shortly before midnight Monday (17h in Paris) in Nagoya . (Japan)
“Congratulations, Andrew, for this fantastic flight,” launched his team in a message with a picture boasting his achievement: “3265 km and 45 hours alone in the sky “,” longest solar flight ever made in both distance and time. ” “Part accomplished in the Pacific. Impatient to continue as soon as weather permits, “said Bertrand Piccard tweeted his side.
Earlier, he explained that it was wiser to” make an intermediate landing in Nagoya and then wait until the weather conditions improve. ” “It was the last place we could land safely. Small islands here and there in the Pacific are not alternatives at all. “ ” Around the world can not be as fast advance we would like, but we do not make a speed race. The goal is to get there, “he stressed.
This impromptu stop does not affect the project, assured André Borschberg reporters shortly after landing. Solar 2 Impulse, whose wings are covered with more than 17,000 photovoltaic cells, has a wingspan of 72 meters, or more than that of a Boeing 747, and an initial weight of 2.3 tonnes, lighter for the occasion.
This futuristic device was left on March 9 Abu Dhabi to a world tour of 35,000 kilometers, both technological challenge and aviation achievement. He then made a stop in Oman, India, Burma and China, where it remained grounded over a month due to inclement weather.
Before the Nanjing-Nagoya trip, the plane had never flown that long. “The dream became reality engineers (…): Solar Impulse could pass safely overnight without a drop of gasoline, recharge at sunrise and go forward” enthused Bertrand Piccard, quickly forgetting its first “disappointment” with the announcement of the forced stopover.
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