SI2 Will Have To Wait For Better Weather Before Completing Leg To Hawaii

The 6 day and night exploration flight of the all-electric Solar Impulse-two commenced from Nanjing, China to Hawaii on Saturday, but after about 36 hours of flight, bad weather has forced the Pilot André Borschberg to return to Nagoya, Japan until weather improves.

The flight had progressed to a point east of Japan when flight controllers determined that the weather window to reach Hawaii had closed. The team said in a statement, "The cold front is too dangerous to cross, so we have decided to land in Nagoya airfield, and wait for better weather conditions in order to continue."

Despite the decision to postpone the long overwater flight to Hawaii, that the team reported that the aircraft is performing well and they are satisfied with the ability of the solar cells to recharge the batteries after prolonged night flight.

The Solar Impulse2 program, being flown alternately by pilots Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg, has thus far finished 6 primary legs of a flight around the world in a vehicle that is fueled only by electrical energy captured from sunlight.

The single seat SI2 is made of carbon fiber, with a 72 meter wingspan (larger than that of the Boeing 747-8I) and adds up to a weight of just 2,300 Kg -- just a bit over 5070 pounds. The 17,000 solar cells built into the wing supply four 17.5 CV electric motors with 'fuel.'

During the day, the solar cells recharge 2077 lbs lithium batteries allowing the aircraft to fly at night until the next day when the recharging cycle can begin anew.

ANN is monitoring the flight closely and will keep you apprised as André makes his way to Hawaii.

FMI: www.solarimpulse.com