Solar-powered aircraft to execute a continuous global journey in just five days

Martina Kefer, a trained journalist at the Bonner General-Anzeiger, brings exciting news about the future of solar energy and aviation.

Russian billionaire Viktor Vekselberg, known for his successful ventures in the oil industry and technology, has announced ambitious plans to send a solar-powered airplane around the world nonstop. The pilot for this historic flight will be Bertrand Piccard, a seasoned explorer.

The solar-powered aircraft, named Elektra-2, is designed to offer internet connectivity on Earth. Unlike satellites, Elektra-2's proximity to the Earth allows for much better images of the Earth's surface. In the future, it will be permanently stationed at altitudes of 20 km, providing even clearer images and potential internet provision.

Elektra-2 is equipped with supercapacitors, a technology that can withstand more charge cycles compared to batteries and has a greater power density. This means the airplane can be charged and discharged faster, a crucial factor in a round-the-world flight.

The solar-powered airplane will have collectors on its top and bottom surfaces that can capture both direct and diffuse sunlight. This design allows Elektra-2 to harness solar energy efficiently, even during night-time flights when it will fly at lower altitudes to save energy.

The prototype for Elektra-2 is expected to be ready by the end of 2017, with the planned travel time for the solar-powered airplane being 120 hours. If successful, this could set a new world record for the longest solar-powered flight.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was informed about Viktor Vekselberg's plans for the solar-powered airplane in April. This ambitious project, if successful, could revolutionize both aviation and internet connectivity.

Meanwhile, Fjodor Konjuchow, a 65-year-old adventurer and former elite soldier, has been chosen as the pilot for Viktor Vekselberg's solar-powered airplane. Konjuchow made headlines in 2016 when he set a new world record by sailing around the world alone in a hot air balloon.

As we await the completion of the prototype and the maiden flight of Elektra-2, it's clear that solar energy and aircraft technology are on the cusp of a significant breakthrough. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting development.