Images: Cross-Country Flight in a Solar-Powered Plane

Solar Impulse Flies Over San Francisco

On a test flight, the Solar Impulse aircraft flies at night over San Francisco, Calif.

Solar Impulse Over Golden Gate Bridge

This image, from a previous test flight, shows Solar Impulse flying over the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Calif.

Solar Impulse - San Francisco

The Solar Impulse plane, as it flies around the San Francisco Bay area in California.

Propellor planes

The plane, called Solar Impulse, departed from Mountain View, California for New York on May 3, 2013.

Stopovers

Along the way, the team will stop in Phoenix, Dallas, and Washington D.C., and plans to touch down in New York in late June or early July.

Ultra lightweight

To accomplish this feat, the plane combines ultra lightweight construction, low power needs, and giant wings. The plane has a wingspan of a jetliner but weighs as much as a stationwagon.

Solar panels

Solar panels across the wings produce power during the day, while lithium polymer batteries use that power to fly the plane at night

Wingspan

Here, another view of the solar panels spanning the wing

Tiny energy needs

Though its wingspan rivals a commercial jet, the actual engine is tiny. The plane itself requires , about the same power needed by a small scooter. That's also about the same amount of power as the Wright Brothers' plane needed.

Solo flight

The plane carries only one pilot and zero passengers. For the around-the-world trip planned in 2015, the team wants to expand the cockpit so that it's at least as roomy as a business class.