First test for record solar plane (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

The prototype of a solar-powered plane destined for a record round-the-world journey has made its first trip across a runway.

On Thursday, the plane covered at least 2km at speeds of up to five knots on the landing strip in Switzerland.

This week saw the Solar Impulse plane outside its hangar for the first time, with tests of its engines and computer.

As wide as a jumbo jet but weighing just 1,500 kg, it will be piloted by Swiss adventurer Bertrand Piccard.



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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8367214.stm




Who is Bertrand Picard? from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bertrand_Piccard

Dr. Bertrand Piccard (born 1 March 1958) is a Swiss psychiatrist and balloonist.

Born in Lausanne, Vaud canton, Bertrand Piccard, along with Brian Jones, was the first to set off a non-stop balloon flight around the globe. His grandfather Auguste Piccard and his father, Jacques Piccard, were notable inventors and also balloonists.

Interesting family. :)

The Piccard family has the unique distinction of having made both the highest flight and the deepest dive of all time.<2>

Auguste Piccard (physicist, aeronaut, balloonist, hydronaut)
Jacques Piccard (hydronaut)
Bertrand Piccard (aeronaut, balloonist)
Jean Felix Piccard (organic chemist, aeronaut, and balloonist)
Jeannette Piccard (wife of Jean Felix) (aeronaut and balloonist)
Don Piccard (balloonist)

[Canuckistanian]

1. Awesome

His father Jacques Piccard made the record deepest ocean dive in the Trieste:


It went 10,900 metres (35,761 ft) down into Mariana Trench in January 1960. No one has come close to beating that record.

[POAS]

2. Not any mention at all of

Jean Luc?