Aircraft completes first solar-powered night flight

PAYERNE, Switzerland, July 8, 2010 (Reuters) — A giant glider-like aircraft has completed the first night flight propelled only by solar energy, organizers said on Thursday.

Solar Impulse, whose wingspan is the same as an Airbus A340, flew 26 hours and 9 minutes, powered only by solar energy stored during the day. It was also the longest and highest flight in the history of solar aviation, organizers said.

The next milestone will be crossing the Atlantic using a second prototype which goes into construction soon.