The solar-powered aircraft, Solar Impulse 2, successfully completed the first fuel-free flight around the world on Tuesday, returning to Abu Dhabi after an epic 16-month voyage and demonstrating the potential of renewable energy.
The solar-powered aircraft, Solar Impulse 2, successfully completed the first fuel-free flight around the world on Tuesday, returning to Abu Dhabi after an epic 16-month voyage and demonstrating the potential of renewable energy.
Solar Impulse 2 touched down in the United Arab Emirates capital at 0005 GMT (0405 local time) on Tuesday. It first took off from Abu Dhabi on March 9, 2015, beginning a landmark journey of about 40,000 km (24,500 miles) around the globe and nearly 500 hours of flying.
Swiss explorers Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg, Solar Impulse founders and pilots, took turns piloting the aircraft with a wingspan larger than a Boeing 747 and weighing only as much as a family car.
Over its entire mission, Solar Impulse 2 cruised at altitudes of up to 9,000 metres and at an average speed of between 45 and 90 km (12.5 and 25 miles) per hour. The plane had 16 stopovers along the way including in Oman, India, Myanmar, China, Japan, the United States, Spain and Egypt.
Abu Dhabi's green energy firm 'Masdar' is the official host partner of Solar Impulse 2. Oil-rich Abu Dhabi is investing billions in industry, tourism and renewables to diversify its economy away from oil.
Here is a look at some of the breathtaking photographs of the journey.
(Input from Reuters)
1. Over Manhattan
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Solar Impulse 2, the solar airplane, piloted by Swiss adventurer Andre Borschberg, flies over Manhattan, US on June 11, 2016 shortly before landing at John F. Kennedy Airport. (Photo courtesy - Reuters)
2. Flyover the Pharaohs
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Solar Impulse 2, as seen during the flyover of the pyramids of Giza on July 13, 2016 prior to the landing in Cairo, Egypt. (Photo courtesy - Reuters)
3. Red Sea
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Solar Impulse 2 is seen over the Red Sea during the last leg of the round the world trip. (Photo courtesy - Reuters)
4. Selfie goals!
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Selfie shows Swiss pioneer Bertrand Piccard during the last leg of the round the world trip with Solar Impulse 2 over the Arab peninsula. (Photo courtesy - Reuters)
5. En route horizon
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This photo was shot 2 hours before the Solar Impulse 2 landed at the Abu Dhabi airport, completing the first ever round the world flight without the use of fuel. (Photo courtesy - Facebook)
6. Before touchdown
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Solar Impulse 2 seen before landing in Abu Dhabi to finish the first around the world flight without the use of fuel. (Photo courtesy - Reuters)
7. Team Solar Impulse 2
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Team Solar Impulse 2, celebrating the around-the-world clean energy flight by Solar Impulse 2. (Photo courtesy - Facebook)
