Solar aircraft makes successful first flight

Swiss company SolarStratos recently achieved its first successful flight of its two-seat solar aircraft.

The aircraft uses electricity harnessed from approximately 238 square feet of solar cells spread across its 82-foot wingspan to power the vehicle for 24 hours straight. Weighing in at about 992 pounds gross and with a 28-foot-long fuselage, SolarStratos engineers estimate the aircraft will be 90 percent efficient.

And while the recent flight reached 1,000 feet, the goal of SolarStratos is to reach 83,000 feet.