Solar Impulse: World first solar-powered plane

A Swiss solar powered plane takes off at an airport in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, early Monday, March 9, 2015, marking the start of the first attempt to fly around the world without a drop of fuel. Solar Impulse founder Andre Borschberg was at the controls of the single seater when it took off from the Al Bateen Executive Airport. Borschberg will trade off piloting with Solar Impulse co founder Bertrand Piccard during stop overs on a journey that will take months to complete. (AP Photo)

In this photo released by Solar Impulse, Solar Impulse 2 , a solar powered airplane flies after taking off from Al Bateen Executive Airport in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on Monday, March 9, 2015, marking the start of the first attempt to fly around the world without a drop of fuel. Solar Impulse founder Andre Borschberg was at the controls of the single seater when it took off from the airport. Borschberg will trade off piloting with Solar Impulse co founder Bertrand Piccard during stop overs on a journey that will take months to complete. (AP Photo)

The Solar Impulse 2 prepares to depart from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, early Monday, March 9, 2015. The Swiss solar powered plane took off from Abu Dhabi early Monday, marking the start of the first attempt to fly around the world without a drop of fuel. (AP Photo)

In this Monday, March 9, 2015 photo released by Solar Impulse, a Swiss solar powered plane lands in Muscat, Oman, after it took off from Abu Dhabi early Monday, marking the start of the first attempt to fly around the world without a drop of fuel. Solar Impulse founder Andre Borschberg was at the controls of the single seater when it took off from the Al Bateen Executive Airport. (AP Photo)

Swiss pilots and founders of Solar Impulse 2 Bertrand Piccard, left, and Andre Boschberg acknowledge the media after landing at an airport in Ahmadabad, India, Wednesday, March 11, 2015. The Swiss made solar powered aircraft landed in western India on Tuesday night, completing the second leg, and its first sea crossing, of its historic round the world trip. The aircraft's wings are covered by more than 17,000 solar cells that recharge the plane's batteries. It flies ideally at around 25 knots, or 45 kph (28 mph). (AP Photo)

In this Monday, March 9, 2015 photo released by Solar Impulse, a Swiss solar powered plane lands in Muscat, Oman, after it took off from Abu Dhabi early Monday, marking the start of the first attempt to fly around the world without a drop of fuel. Solar Impulse founder Andre Borschberg was at the controls of the single seater when it took off from the Al Bateen Executive Airport. (AP Photo)

The Solar Impulse 2 prepares to depart at an airport in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, early Monday, March 9, 2015. The Swiss solar powered plane took off from Abu Dhabi early Monday, marking the start of the first attempt to fly around the world without a drop of fuel. (AP Photo)

Bertrand Piccard, Swiss pilot and co founder of Solar Impulse 2, displays the thumbs up symbol after landing at an airport in Ahmadabad, India, Wednesday, March 11, 2015. The Swiss made solar powered aircraft landed in western India on Tuesday night, completing the second leg, and its first sea crossing, of its historic round the world trip. The aircraft's wings are covered by more than 17,000 solar cells that recharge the plane's batteries. It flies ideally at around 25 knots, or 45 kph (28 mph). (AP Photo)