Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Swiss Pilot Unveils Solar-Powered Plane for Planned Global Flight A Swiss pilot unveiled what could be a history-making aircraft Wednesday designed to fly around the globe powered only by the sun. The Solar Impulse 2 will begin test flights next month in preparation for a planned around-the-world trip next year. The plane has the same wingspan as a jumbo passenger jet. But only weighs about the same as a large car. That is because instead of heavy fuel tanks, Solar Impulse 2 is powered by more than 17,000 solar cells, grabbing energy from the sun and storing it in batteries. Pilot Andre Borschberg says he expects to take five days and five nights to travel around the world. But he says Solar Impulse 2 could stay in the air indefinitely. The plane is an updated model of a solar-powered aircraft built five years ago and flown across the United States last year. __________________________________________________________________ [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/swiss-pilot-unveils-solarpowered-plan e-for-planned-global-flight/1890187.html References 1. http://www.voanews.com/content/swiss-pilot-unveils-solarpowered-plane-for-planned-global-flight/1890187.html