An experimental solar-powered aircraft landed in Switzerland on Thursday at 7.01am GMT, after completing a historic flight lasting 26 hours.
Agence France-Presse reporters watched the experimental Solar Impulse aircraft with pilot Andre Borschberg onboard make a seamless landing at Payerne airbase in western Switzerland about three hours after daybreak.
“It’s the first time ever that a solar airplane has flown through the night,” said team chief Bertrand Piccard earlier.
The high-tech single-seater aircraft took off from Payerne in the early hours of Wednesday.
Solar Impulse was attempting the first such manned flight on purely solar energy, defying the hours of darkness to keep aloft for a day and a night. — AFP