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  • Solar Impulse co-founders Andre Borschberg, left, and Bertrand Piccard, centre, congratulate test pilot Markus Scherdel after the maiden flight of Solar Impulse 2. Denis Balibouse / Reuters
    Solar Impulse co-founders Andre Borschberg, left, and Bertrand Piccard, centre, congratulate test pilot Markus Scherdel after the maiden flight of Solar Impulse 2. Denis Balibouse / Reuters
  • Solar Impulse 2 has a 72-metre wingspan, similar to that of an Airbus A380, with 17,000 solar cells built into the wings. Denis Balibouse / Reuters
    Solar Impulse 2 has a 72-metre wingspan, similar to that of an Airbus A380, with 17,000 solar cells built into the wings. Denis Balibouse / Reuters
  • Spectators watch Solar Impulse 2 take its maiden flight in Payerne, Switzerland. Solar Impulse 2 is the second plane of the Solar Impulse project, which aims to circumnavigate the world with a solar-powered aircraft. Fabrice Coffrini / AP Photo
    Spectators watch Solar Impulse 2 take its maiden flight in Payerne, Switzerland. Solar Impulse 2 is the second plane of the Solar Impulse project, which aims to circumnavigate the world with a solar-powered aircraft. Fabrice Coffrini / AP Photo
  • A spotter takes a picture of the Solar Impulse 2 during its first flight at the airbase in Payerne, Switzerland. It is set to become the first solar-powered aircraft to circumnavigate the globe thanks to its vast wings covered in 17,000 solar cells, which supply four electric motors. Laurent Gillieron / AP Photo
    A spotter takes a picture of the Solar Impulse 2 during its first flight at the airbase in Payerne, Switzerland. It is set to become the first solar-powered aircraft to circumnavigate the globe thanks to its vast wings covered in 17,000 solar cells, which supply four electric motors. Laurent Gillieron / AP Photo
  • Solar Impulse 2 is the successor of the original prototype plane of the same name, which last year completed a trip across the United States without using a drop of fuel. Laurent Gillieron / AFP
    Solar Impulse 2 is the successor of the original prototype plane of the same name, which last year completed a trip across the United States without using a drop of fuel. Laurent Gillieron / AFP
  • Solar Impulse 2 is built from carbon layers that weigh less than 25 gram per square metre, or one-third of the weight of a sheet of paper. Laurent Gillieron / EPA
    Solar Impulse 2 is built from carbon layers that weigh less than 25 gram per square metre, or one-third of the weight of a sheet of paper. Laurent Gillieron / EPA
  • The solar-powered Solar Impulse 2 has amenities such as autopilot, a toilet and a large enough cockpit for the pilot to lie down. Laurent Gillieron / Reuters
    The solar-powered Solar Impulse 2 has amenities such as autopilot, a toilet and a large enough cockpit for the pilot to lie down. Laurent Gillieron / Reuters
  • Ground crew push the solar-powered Solar Impulse 2 aircraft back into its hangar after its maiden flight in Payerne, Switzerland. Denis Balibouse / Reuters
    Ground crew push the solar-powered Solar Impulse 2 aircraft back into its hangar after its maiden flight in Payerne, Switzerland. Denis Balibouse / Reuters
  • Solar Impulse 2 has a 72-metre wingspan, similar to that of an Airbus A380, with 17,000 solar cells built into the wings. Denis Balibouse / Reuters
    Solar Impulse 2 has a 72-metre wingspan, similar to that of an Airbus A380, with 17,000 solar cells built into the wings. Denis Balibouse / Reuters
  • Solar Impulse 2 is the second plane of the Solar Impulse project, which aims to circumnavigate the world with a solar-powered aircraft. Denis Balibouse / AFP
    Solar Impulse 2 is the second plane of the Solar Impulse project, which aims to circumnavigate the world with a solar-powered aircraft. Denis Balibouse / AFP
  • Solar Impulse 2 is built from carbon layers that weigh less than 25 gram per square metre, or one-third of the weight of a sheet of paper. Denis Balibouse / AP Photo
    Solar Impulse 2 is built from carbon layers that weigh less than 25 gram per square metre, or one-third of the weight of a sheet of paper. Denis Balibouse / AP Photo

In pictures: Solar Impulse 2 takes maiden flight

Liz Claus

June 05, 2014

The Solar Impulse 2, a solar-powered plane designed to fly around the world next year, took its maiden flight June 2 from Payerne airbase in Switzerland and landed over an hour later.

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