Solar Impulse Entered into the Second Night of its Flight across the Pacific Ocean

The solar-powered aircraft Solar Impulse, with André Borschberg at the controls, is currently flying through its second night across the Pacific Ocean, using only the energy stocked up during the day by its solar cells. The plane will be slowly losing altitude until dawn, and when the sun will be rising from the sea, the aircraft will again ascend and recharge its batteries until they are full.

An incredible performance already, as it supersedes the duration record established by Borschberg himself last month (still to be ratified by FAI). At the time of writing, Solar Impulse has been in the sky for 1 d 21 h 09 min and achieved 37% of the route to Hawaii. 

Thanks to the very detailed information provided by the Solar Impulse website, it is possible for everyone to keep track of all the data for the flight and what is happening in the cockpit including the batteries, the controls, the distance completion. Interestingly, information about the pilot himself are on display, so that it is possible to see exactly how much rest the pilot has had and how much food reserve and water resources are left.

This flight is also an extraordinary mental and physical challenge for Borschberg, as it is planned to last for 120 hours. Since taking-off from Nagoya, Japan, he regularly rested for short periods of time and relaxed to make sure he is able to fly the aircraft until Hawaii.

(photo credit: Solar Impulse)