Solar powered engines are torn

A long tear in the wing caused the Solar Impulse landing plane earlier than planned on the last US crossing.

>>> Solar powered aircraft landed in Washington

Solar Impulse, the name of the four-engine aircraft, landed at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York City, United States, at 23h09 July 6 local time (11h09 July 7 in Hanoi), AP reporting.

Solar Impulse took off in Washington on July 6. Photo: Livescience

More than 18 hours ago, Solar Impulse left Washington for a third, final flight, during the test. It flies through the states of Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey.

Solar Impulse landed in the first hours of July 7, but project managers decided to shorten the flight time after they found a tear of about 2.5 m below the left wing. .

With a wingspan equivalent to the wingspan of a passenger plane and the equivalent of a small car, the Solar Impulse is a prototype of an advanced aircraft that only works with sunlight. Maybe that plane will appear in the sky by 2015.

Aerial view of Solar Impulse landed in New York City on July 6. Photo: Livescience

12,000 solar panels in two wings produce electricity for Solar Impulse. Its wingspan is 63m. Solar Impulse can fly at an altitude of 8,534m and reach an average speed of 69km / h.

The Solar Impulse Solar Project started in 2003 with a budget of $ 112 million for 10 years. The aim of the project is to increase public awareness and support for clean energy technologies.