'Solar Impulse' plane unveiled in Switzerland

Swiss scientist-adventurer and pilot Bertrand Piccard unveiled the "Solar Impulse" airplane during a ceremony in Duebendorf near Zurich. "Solar Impulse" is a round-the-world solar airplane, aiming at taking off and flying autonomously, day and night,...

Swiss scientist-adventurer and pilot Bertrand Piccard unveiled the "Solar Impulse" airplane during a ceremony in Duebendorf near Zurich.

"Solar Impulse" is a round-the-world solar airplane, aiming at taking off and flying autonomously, day and night, with completely solar-powered circumnavigation.

Mr Piccard is no conventional environmental activist - he hopes to raise awareness about the potential of renewable energy by flying a solar-powered aircraft around the world.

The 51-year-old Swiss psychiatrist plans to fly his one-of-kind Solar Impulse around the world over 20 to 25 days, travelling at an average of 70 kilometres an hour, he said at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, where he had a booth to promote his venture.

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