A solar-powered plane that is attempting a record-breaking flight around the world has been damaged after making an unscheduled stop in Japan.
The revolutionary Solar Impulse 2 aircraft took off early Sunday for a six-day, six-night flight over the Pacific Ocean, the most ambitious leg of its quest to circumnavigate the globe powered only by the sun.
Solar Impulse, the fuel-free aeroplane, has completed the fifth leg of its round-the-world flight.
Forbes: "Solar Impulse, a completely solar-powered airplane, landed at Brussels’ main airport tonight, 13-hours after taking off from its home base in Switzerland, completing the world’s first international solar-powered flight.
The aircraft, which has more 12,000 solar cells covering its 200-foot-long wings, took off at 8:40 local time, rose to an altitude of 12,400 feet and touched down at 21:38 (3:38 PM EDT)."
