Solar plane's Pacific crossing rescheduled
Updated: 2015-05-05 17:38
(Xinhua)
|
|||||||||||
NANJING - The sun-powered plane Solar Impulse 2 has delayed its flight across the Pacific scheduled for Tuesday, when Swiss pilot Bertrand Piccard had planned to make the five-day journey from Nanjing to Hawaii.
Piccard said the plane may not depart "until the weekend or next week, or maybe longer, in a couple of weeks."
The pilot said the 8,000-kilometer flight across the Pacific is the longest leg in the plane's global tour, which has 12 planned stops.
Piccard said the trip requires a period of clear weather, and forecasts have predicted typhoons on the ocean in the coming week.
In addition to weather concerns, the solar plane's battery is also not ready to make the trip as it is charged to less than 10 percent of full capacity, said Piccard.
The Swiss-made Solar Impulse 2 arrived in the east China city of Nanjing on April 21. Over the past weeks, Piccard and the flight team have participated in exchanges with representatives from the Chinese photovoltaic (PV) industry as well as students.
Piccard said the trip has allowed him and his team to meet with Chinese companies in different fields, which may lead to collaboration on programs in the future.
Related Stories
Around the world on solar power 2015-04-28 07:40
Solar Impulse 2 lands in Nanjing 2015-04-23 09:59
Lone pilot of solar plane on round-the-world leg in China 2015-04-21 14:47
Chinese solar equipment to light up Rio 2016 Olympics 2015-04-20 07:14
Today's Top News
Reasons behind Russia's high-profile V-Day celebrations
Wang Jianlin: Asia's richest man
China regulator denies Siemens bribery probe
Milan-Shanghai flight to 'establish important bridge'
Xi meets visiting KMT chairman
Siemens healthcare unit probed by China regulator for bribery
UK urged to ease up on visa curbs
Chinese president to visit Russia, Kazakstan, Belarus,attend WWII celebration in Moscow
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
What do we know about AIIB |
Full coverage of Boao Forum for Asia |
Annual legislative and political advisory sessions |
Festival Special: Apps that make holiday shopping easier |
Listed firms caught in anti-corruption net |
Conca set to return to China |