First attempt at around-the-world solar-powered flight to take off from Abu Dhabi in March, 2015

A photo from a recent test flight of the Solar Impulse aircraft.

Solar Impulse is described as “the only airplane of perpetual endurance, able to fly day and night on solar power, without a drop of fuel.” With support from Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, the Solar Impulse team will attempt the first-ever solar-powered flight around the world in March, 2015. The long-range aircraft project was founded by Bertrand Piccard, a Swiss psychiatrist and aeronaut who co-piloted the first balloon to circle the world non-stop, and Swiss businessman André Borschberg.