Solar-powered plane set for flight around world

Solar-powered plane set for flight around world

GENEVA, Switzerland - Swiss pilots Bertrand Piccard (L) and Andre Borschberg of Solar Impulse 2, an airplane powered only by solar energy, speak to Kyodo News in Lausanne on Dec. 12, 2014, during preparations for their round-the-world flight set for March.

Pilots promote solar flight with possible stop in Japan

Pilots promote solar flight with possible stop in Japan

NEW YORK, United States - Andre Borschberg, a Swiss pilot, speaks of his 2015 dream to circumnavigate the globe in a solar plane with Bertrand Piccard. The pair hopes to stop over in Japan, where Borschberg lived in the mid-80s. Picture taken on July 13, 2013, at a John F. Kennedy International Airport hangar where the plane was displayed.

Solar-powered plane in U.S.

Solar-powered plane in U.S.

WASHINGTON, United States - U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz (2nd from L) chats with Bertrand Piccard (L) and Andre Borschberg, the pilots of the Solar Impulse plane, in front of the solar-powered plane at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center at Dulles International Airport in Virginia on June 17, 2013.

Solar plane leaves for Hawaii after monthlong layover in Japan

Solar plane leaves for Hawaii after monthlong layover in Japan

Photo shows a solar-powered plane, Solar Impulse 2, which left for Hawaii early June 29, 2015, from Nagoya airfield, after a nearly monthlong layover in Japan to avoid bad weather while circumnavigating the globe. The duration of the flight to Hawaii is expected to be 120 hours -- five days and nights -- the longest trip for the plane operated by Swiss pilot Andre Borschberg. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Solar plane leaves for Hawaii after monthlong layover in Japan

Solar plane leaves for Hawaii after monthlong layover in Japan

Photo shows a solar-powered plane, Solar Impulse 2, which left for Hawaii early June 29, 2015, from Nagoya airfield, after a nearly monthlong layover in Japan to avoid bad weather while circumnavigating the globe. The duration of the flight to Hawaii is expected to be 120 hours -- five days and nights -- the longest trip for the plane operated by Swiss pilot Andre Borschberg. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Solar plane leaves for Hawaii after monthlong layover in Japan

Solar plane leaves for Hawaii after monthlong layover in Japan

Photo shows a solar-powered plane, Solar Impulse 2, which left for Hawaii early June 29, 2015, from Nagoya airfield, after a nearly monthlong layover in Japan to avoid bad weather while circumnavigating the globe. The duration of the flight to Hawaii is expected to be 120 hours -- five days and nights -- the longest trip for the plane operated by Swiss pilot Andre Borschberg. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Solar Impulse 2 delays flight from Japan as weather window closes

Solar Impulse 2 delays flight from Japan as weather window closes

Photo taken June 24, 2015 shows the sun-powered Solar Impulse 2 plane (front) at Nagoya airport in central Japan. The plane, circumnavigating the globe and carrying pilot Andre Borschberg, called off a Hawaii-bound flight from Japan as the weather window favorable for its longest five-day trip appears to have closed. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Solar Impulse 2 delays flight from Japan as weather window closes

Solar Impulse 2 delays flight from Japan as weather window closes

Photo taken June 24, 2015 shows the sun-powered Solar Impulse 2 plane at Nagoya airport in central Japan. The plane, circumnavigating the globe and carrying pilot Andre Borschberg, called off a Hawaii-bound flight from Japan as the weather window favorable for its longest five-day trip appears to have closed. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Solar Impulse pilot speaks in Tokyo

Solar Impulse pilot speaks in Tokyo

Andre Borschberg, a pilot of the solar-powered plane Solar Impulse 2, speaks at a news conference in Tokyo on June 18, 2015. The Solar Impulse 2 was forced to land at Nagoya airport in central Japan on June 1, cutting short what was to be up to a six-day flight from Nanjing, China, to Hawaii, the longest leg of its around-the-world trip. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Solar plane on round-world trip lands in Japan to avoid bad weather

Solar plane on round-world trip lands in Japan to avoid bad weather

Solar Impulse 2 pilot Andre Borschberg speaks at a press conference at Nagoya airport in central Japan in the early hours of June 2, 2015. The solar-powered plane, currently attempting the first-ever around-the-world flight without the use of fossil, fuel made an unscheduled landing on June 1 at the airport to avoid poor weather around Hawaii. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Solar plane on round-world trip lands in Japan to avoid bad weather

Solar plane on round-world trip lands in Japan to avoid bad weather

Solar Impulse 2 pilot Andre Borschberg speaks at a press conference at Nagoya airport in central Japan in the early hours of June 2, 2015. The solar-powered plane, currently attempting the first-ever around-the-world flight without the use of fossil fuel, made an unscheduled landing on June 1 at the airport to avoid poor weather around Hawaii. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo