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Solar Impulse 2 begins around-the-world flight (pictures)

The solar-powered plane is part of an effort to encourage energy-efficient aviation. Here's a look at the aircraft and how to track it from the ground.

Stephen Shankland
Stephen Shankland worked at CNET from 1998 to 2024 and wrote about processors, digital photography, AI, quantum computing, computer science, materials science, supercomputers, drones, browsers, 3D printing, USB, and new computing technology in general. He has a soft spot in his heart for standards groups and I/O interfaces. His first big scoop was about radioactive cat poop.
Stephen Shankland
Solar Impulse 2 takes off from Abu Dhabi's executive airport.​
1 of 14 Solar Impulse

Solar Impulse takeoff

Solar Impulse 2 takes off from Abu Dhabi's executive airport Monday.

Related story: Solar airplane soars to start first-ever round-the-world trip

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Solar Impulse takeoff

The Solar Impulse 2 takes off from Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates to begin its first leg.

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3 of 14 Screenshot by Stephen Shankland/CNET

Monitoring the flight

You can monitor a variety of flight aspects at the SolarImpulse.com website. On Monday however,  during the first leg of a planned global circumnavigation, the website went offline.

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4 of 14 Screenshot by Stephen Shankland/CNET

Battery status

You can check the Solar Impulse 2's battery status, including whether they're charging in the sun or discharging to power the plane's four electric motors.

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Solar Impulse in flight

The Solar Impulse flies its first segment of an attempt to circumnavigate the world.

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6 of 14 Screenshot by Stephen Shankland/CNET

Solar Impulse aircraft status

If you're curious about whether the plane is banking, ascending or descending, the SolarImpulse.com website offers telemetry to see.

Solar Impulse cockpit
7 of 14 Screenshot by Stephen Shankland/CNET

Webcam view

André Borschberg, one of Solar Impulse's two pilots, is visible via a webcam.

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Solar Impulse LED lights

The Solar Impulse 2 uses energy-efficient LEDs. Its 72-meter wingspan is wider than that of a Boeing 747.

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Solar Impulse on approach

The Solar Impulse 2 descends to the runway in Oman. The plane's batteries charge during the day, letting it fly at night.

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Solar Impulse touches down

The Solar Impulse 2 touches down after a 13-hour flight. Winds meant the plane circled over the Sea of Oman until conditions were more favorable.

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Solar Impulse taxiing

Solar Impulse taxis along a runway in Oman after completing its first of 12 stages for a trip around the world.

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Telemetry by Twitter

The SolarImpulse.com website went down Monday, but the project organizers posted their own telemetry data on Twitter.

Solar Impulse flight profile
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Solar Impulse flight plan

The first trip in the round-the-world effort heads east from the United Arab Emirates to Oman. The batteries charge en route, a key part of the technology necessary to carry the plane through the night.

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Solar Impulse mission control

The mission control for the Solar Impulse 2 flight is in Switzerland.

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