For a modern-day plane, Solar Impulse 2 doesn’t sound very impressive: It took 505 days for it to fly around the world. Its average speed of 45 miles per hour is slower than most cars. But the plane made aviation history on July 26 when it became the first aircraft to successfully circumnavigate the globe using only power from the sun.
Solar Impulse 2 doesn’t use fuel like most planes. Instead, its wings and body are covered in solar cells that convert sunlight into electricity. The cells also charge the plane’s batteries, which provide the power it needs to fly at night.
Two French pilots flew the plane on its historic journey. The goal was to show what’s possible with renewable energy.
“Our hope is to motivate everyone to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels,” said a spokesperson for Solar Impulse 2.