Flying around the world with no fuel

What if you no longer had to worry about your carbon footprint next time you flew abroad or ate a piece of tropical fruit? This is closer to becoming a reality than you might think - a plane that uses no fuel and is powered entirely by the sun is currently flying around the world, breaking speed and distance records for solar powered planes as it goes.

Solar wings
The wings of the Solar Impulse 2 are lined with over 17,000 solar cells to power the plane in the day and charge huge batteries to keep it going through the night. Despite a vast wingspan, the single-seater plane weighs only about the same as a car.

Green heroes
Two pilots take it in turns to fly each leg of the journey. As one leg can last for several days, they can only sleep in quick catnaps in the confined cockpit. In order to cope psychologically with their ambitious endeavour, they are using self-hypnosis and yoga.
     Whatever the challenges they may face, the pilots are determined to raise awareness of just how much can be achieved with renewable energy and demonstrate the possibilities for eco-friendly air travel in the future.