The solar plane first flew across Europe

Solar Impulse, the world's first solar powered aircraft, took off from Switzerland today to make the first international flight to Belgium.

Solar Impulse aircraft took off from an air base in Payerne, Switzerland this morning to make the first international flight. Photo : AP.

AFP reported that Solar Impulse left the city of Payerne in western Switzerland at 8h40 local time (13:40 Vietnamese time). After about 12 hours it will arrive at Brussels airport in Belgium.

Solar Impulse has been flying continuously for 26 hours in Swiss airspace last July. This is the longest flight of manned and solar powered aircraft. Solar Impulse then flew several times between two Swiss cities, Geneva and Zurich. But flying in the crowded airspace of Europe is considered a new challenge.

' Driving an airplane like Solar Impulse in European airspace to land on an international airport is a big challenge for us. The success of the flight depends on the support of officials from the countries involved , ' said Andre Borschberg, who drives Solar Impulse on today's flight. Borschberg is also a member of the Solar Impulse team.

Solar Impulse aircraft has a wingspan of 63 m , equal to the wingspan of the Airbus A340, and has a length of nearly 22 m . It has a mass of 1,600 kg and nearly 12,000 solar panels attached to the wings and rear stabilizers . The aircraft is also equipped with 4 electric motors and has a maximum speed of 70 km / hour.

The ultimate goal of Borschberg and his colleagues is to make the world-wide flight on the Solar Impulse aircraft.