"PAYERNE, Switzerland (AFP) - – A solar powered aircraft made history Thursday after flying around the clock on the sun's energy alone, bringing the dream of perpetual flight a step closer.
After 26 hours in the air, the experimental Solar Impulse aircraft, flown by Andre Borschberg, made a seamless landing at Payerne airbase in western Switzerland at 9.01 am (0701 GMT), about three hours after daybreak.
'It's the first time ever that a solar airplane has flown through the night,' said Bertrand Piccard, the Swiss adventurer who masterminded the project.
A euphoric Borschberg alighted from the single-seater plane to congratulations and slaps on the back from the 70-strong support team.
'I have the impression that I'm still in the air,' the 57-year-old said.
'I feel very pleased, really happy. It was a crucial step. Now we'll go even further, we'll do long missions,' he added. Related article: Solar plane packed with technology
The aircraft had taken off from Payerne at 0451 GMT Wednesday, for 14 hours of sunshine to power its engines and charge its batteries for the night flight.
Its wings -- a 63-metres (207-feet) span that matches the Airbus A340 airliner -- are covered with an array of 12,000 solar cells."
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