Solar Impulse 2 is mostly made of carbon fiber. It has 17,248 solar cells on the wings that recharge four lithium polymer batteries. It is extremely light at 5,070 pounds, about the weight of a Ford Explorer, but has a 236-foot wingspan, which generates enough lift to maintain flight over long periods of time.
André Borschberg, co-founder of Solar Impulse, will pilot the single-seat aircraft for this leg of the flight. He'll be permitted 20-minute naps throughout the multi-day flight, during which an extensive team on the ground will monitor progress. The around-the-world journey began in the United Arab Emirates on March 9, 2015, and is expected to be completed in July or August with a return to the UAE.
