The plane, called Solar Impulse 2, recently completed the longest leg of its global flight -- a five-day, five-night journey from Nagoya, Japan, to Hawaii. During that trip, the plane's batteries overheated and sustained "irreversible" damage, according to a statement from the team.
The next leg of the journey, which would have taken the plane to Phoenix, was set for as early as this week.
The team said the temperature of the batteries during quick ascents and descents in a tropical climate was "not properly anticipated."
"The damage to the batteries is not a technical failure or a weakness in the technology," the team said. "Setbacks are part of the challenges of a project which is pushing technological boundaries to the limits."
I'm looking forward to the next flight record being set by an ornithopter.
(Score: 5, Touché) by Jeremiah Cornelius on Thursday July 16 2015, @05:57PM
Let's see.
1) "Stuck" in Hawaii
2) Prevented from visiting Phoenix
Damn. Some times you just can't win.
You're betting on the pantomime horse...
(Score: 3, Interesting) by fritsd on Thursday July 16 2015, @06:22PM
Actually, when I read that the other pilot had to wait in fear and trepidation for months in a far-away location from his partner, I thought the same thing.
Apparently he stayed in Monaco (as a guest of prince Albert?). Oh the horrors of waiting for months, at the bar in the Monte Carlo casino, looking out over the Rivièra, to hear about the weather report, while explaining to all the groupies that he's a world-famous adventurer .. :-)
I hope those two complete their circumaviation adventure, and I don't blame them for choosing relaxing resting places :-)