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.
- Met Museum celebrates China with annual gala
- Ten photos you don't wanna miss - May 5
- Tree house hotel in Jinan
- Six reasons stopping Apple Watch from ticking in China
- Historical photos of 56 nations in China (Part I)
- World No.1 Ma wins first men's singles world championship
- Ten photos you don't wanna miss during May Day holiday
- The world in photos: April 27 - May 3
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
What do we know about AIIB |
Full coverage of Boao Forum for Asia |
Annual legislative and political advisory sessions |
Spring Festival trends reflect a changing China |
Patent applications lead the world |
BC lures Chinese tourists |
Today's Top News
Metgala draws Chinese fashion bloggers' criticism
US authorizes ferry service to Cuba
China Daily's website takes top spot in readership
Xi will honor soldiers during Russia trip
China reforms can benefit
US: experts
Shanghai bans families of govt officials from owning firms
Chinese companies demonstrate presence at OTC
Most Americans believe US wealth distribution unfair: poll
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |