Solar-Powered Airplane Takes Flight

Solar Impulse
FABRICE COFFRINI / Getty Images

Solar Power
Bertrand Piccard, who piloted the first balloon to circumnavigate the earth, had a new dream in 2003: continuous solar-powered flight. On the morning of July 8, 2010, Piccard was one step closer. His plane, the Solar Impulse, an HB-SIA prototype, had flown for more than 26 hours on batteries charged by the sun.

Get the Latest Photos from Time.com
Get TIME photos and pictures of the week delivered directly to your inbox.