Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


                      Solar Plane Lands Safely in Oklahoma

   by VOA News

   The solar-powered airplane Solar Impulse 2 completed the latest leg of
   its around-the-world trip, landing Thursday night in the south-central
   U.S. state of Oklahoma.

   Solar Impulse 2 arrived safely Thursday night after taking off earlier
   in the day from the western U.S. state of Arizona -- the flight's 11th
   leg.

   The plane's flight speed is about 45 kph (28 mph). Its speed can double
   during the day when the sun's rays are strongest.

   Bad weather hit Oklahoma earlier this week, with a deadly tornado and
   heavy rain. Governor Mary Fallin declared a state of emergency for 15
   counties after tornadoes killed two people and left severe damage in
   parts of the state.

   Solar Impulse 2 dodged the bad weather Thursday but will likely stay
   put for a few days until the weather clears.

   After Oklahoma, the plane is expected to make at least one more stop in
   the United States before crossing the Atlantic Ocean to Europe or
   northern Africa, according to the website documenting the journey.

   Their ultimate goal is to make it back to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab
   Emirates where the trip began in March 2015. The plane has also made
   stops along the way in Oman, Myanmar, China and Japan.

   The crew was forced to stay nine months in Oahu, Hawaii, after the
   plane's battery system sustained heat damage on its five-day flight
   from Japan.

   Swiss pilots Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg, who are sharing
   navigating duties during the historic trip, finally were able to take
   off again April 21 for a three-day trip from Hawaii to California's
   Silicon Valley.

   The 17,000 solar cells built into the wings of Solar Impulse 2 harness
   the sun's energy and charge onboard batteries.

   Organizers say the flight is to show the possibilities of clean energy
   technology.
     __________________________________________________________________

   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/solar-plane-lands-safely-in-oklahoma/
   3328650.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/solar-plane-lands-safely-in-oklahoma/3328650.html