Solar Plane Takes Flight – Solar Impulse Flight Video

The goal of Bertrand Piccard is to fly around the world in a plane that is solely powered by the sun. The Solar Impulse isn’t there yet, but it has taken a big step forward.

The Solar Impulse has completed its first successful flight where it  reached a height of 3200 feet and a speed of  45 mph.

The solar plane might not be breaking any speed records, but it is still an impressive feat. The Solar Impulse stayed airborne for over an hour.

The plane has a wingspan the size of a jumbo jet, but weighs less than your average car. Bertrand Piccard, the creator of the  Solar Impulse, plans to fly around the world in his solar powered plane in 2012.

Piccard, who traveled around the world in a hot air balloon in 1999, still has a lot of problems to worry about before he can set out on his global voyage.

The next step, according to Piccard, is to get the plane airborne at night.

Here is the Solar Impulse video.