An airplane fueled only by solar power successfully completed the first of five legs in a tour across the United States. In 18 hours and 18 minutes, the plane flew from San Francisco, CA to Phoenix, AZ. It is expected to arrive in New York in about two months, depending on weather and allowing for 10 day breaks for conferences at each stop.
The plane is as wide as a jumbo jet, yet weighs about the same as a car and travels at an average speed of 69 kilometers per hour (43 mph). The wings of the plane are covered in 12,000 solar cells which charge four large batteries, allowing it to continue flying in the dark. The goal is to make a trip around the globe in 2015.
