Solar-powered Swiss plane attempts first 24-hour flight

Source: Associated Press

GENEVA - An experimental solar-powered plane whose Swiss makers hope someday to fly around the globe soared into uncharted territory Wednesday - the cold, dark night.
The team of adventurers and engineers behind the Solar Impulse project are already celebrating an aviation milestone for the longest solar flight after keeping the single-seat prototype aloft for almost 15 hours.

But with the goal of 24 hours of nonstop flight, the team set its sights on keeping the sleek aircraft with a 207-foot wingspan in the air until this morning.

Pilot Andre Borschberg "will stay up there as long as possible," said Bertrand Piccard, the project's co-founder.




Read more: http://www.durangoherald.com/sections/News/2010/07/08/Solarpowered_Swiss_plane_attempts_first_24hour_flight/

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I've always wondered if a Solar/Stirling engine could power flight.