An experimental solar-powered plane landed last week after completing its first 24-hour test flight, proving that the aircraft can collect enough energy from the sun during the day to stay in the air all night.

Pilot Andre Borschberg landed the Solar Impulse at Payerne airfield about 30 miles southwest of the Swiss capital Bern last Thursday.

The engineering team behind this project said it had now proven that the single-seat plane can theoretically stay in the air indefinitely, recharging its used-up batteries using 12,000 solar cells and the rays of the sun while the sun is shining on it.

Eco-friendly awesomeness took to the skies today as the solar powered plane, Solar Impulse, made its maiden voyage today in Switzerland.

While the flight only lasted 87 minutes, Solar Impulse was designed to be able to fly around the world without stopping and simply relying on solar power. With its array of 12,000 solar panel cells it took the skies and hit an altitude of 4,000 feet.

The founder of Solar Impulse, Bertrand Picard, felt the solar plane test to be a crucial step in his goals of circumnavigating by air on solar power.
“This first mission was the most risky phase of the entire project,” Piccard said.  “Eighty-seven minutes of intense emotion after seven years of research, testing and perseverance. Never has an airplane as large and light ever flown before!”

Not exactly a sound barrier breaking airplane, the Solar Impulse  runs on four 10-hp electric motors and has a cruise speed of about 40 to 50 miles per hour.

Next up for the Solar Impulse team is night flight testing later this year where they will try and fly longer by trading altitude for airspeed boosted by battery power. The circumvavigation flight is planned for sometime in 2012.

The world’s first solar plane, called the Solar Impulse, took to the runway this week , but hasn’t yet attempted to leave the ground. The plane weighs about as much as car, boasts a 207-foot-long wingspan (equivalent to that of most commercial jets), and has 11,628 solar cells attached to its wings, according to the New York Times.

The Solar Impulse team hopes that the Solar Impulse will eventually become the first solar airplane circumnavigate the globe, flying 36 hours nonstop, without fuel.