Solar Impulse airplane endorsed by the EU

The HB-SIA is a solar-powered aircraft prototype current under construction by the Swiss company Solar Impulse. The aircraft is scheduled to begin test flights in 2009.

On its presentation to the European Parliament this week, the Vice President of Transport announced the EU's patronage of the project.

The goal of this aircraft is to make a 36 hour flight around the world without any fuel but the sun. In order to do this, it will need to be able to store energy reserves for night flights, and fly fairly quickly, both requirements that have not been met by its predecessors.

Link: Solar Impulse