ANOTHER MILESTONE SET BY SOLAR PLANE
As usual, I read through the Sunday Star, May 15, 2011 and noticed another new milestone set by Solar plane reported under the world column.
First, there is a positive note for the world as lots of people have put up their efforts and time to create a better world. It was reported that a solar energy plane had made the world's first international flight powered by the sun to show the potential for pollution-free air travel.
I recalled very well that I was very impressed with this little country, with lots of natural beautiful scenary and superb duper air quality during my stay there, more than a decade ago. And today, I found that the Solar Impulse took off from an airfield at Payerne in western Switzerland on the last Friday morning and landed at Brussels airport after 13-hour flight set another new milestone.
This is remarkably incredible as they are taking this project seriously to demonstrate what we can do with existing energy and energy savings.
We, at this blog, agreed with the project co-founder that it is symbolic to be able to go from one place to another using solar energy. This will not only reminds us of the bright side of it. But it also shows to the world that there are people who cares and are concern with this planet.
The Solar Impulse project began in 2003 with a 10-year budget of Euro 90 million and has involved engineers from Swiss lift maker Schindler and research aid from Belgian chemicals group Solvay. In this connection, we write to express our sincere thanks to these two bodies for making this project into a reality.
The plane, which requires 12,000 solar cells, embarked on its first flight in April 2010 and completed a 26-hour flight, a record flying time for a solar powered aircraft, three months later.
However, it had been a great challenge to fit a slow-flying plane into the commercial air traffic system. With an average flying speed of 70kph, Solar Impulse is not an immediate threat to commercial jets, which can easily cruise at more than 10 times the speed.
Secondly, it brings great news to humans as the above well illustrated a point that there is a great opportunity for us to take this successful project further so as to address the global warming issues.
Thirdly, a larger prototype is scheduled to fly around the world in 2013 and we trust more organizations will chip in and lend them whatever support to this noble project, which we believe majority will do. As such, we shall spread this good news around and make people aware of their noble intention and efforts so as to make a brighter world.
Thanks for your precious time to read this article and please help us to spread this news through your contacts, so as to help you in return.
James Oh
Skype me at james.oh18
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