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      Solar-powered Impulse 2 plane begins final leg of its round-the-world trip.

      The Solar Impulse 2 (SI-2) aircraft, which uses only solar energy, took off from Cairo bound for Abu Dhabi, the final leg of its round-the-world trip, Bertrand Piccard, the project's founder, told the media on Sunday.

      The Solar Impulse 2 (SI-2) aircraft, which uses only solar energy, took off from Cairo bound for Abu Dhabi, the final leg of its round-the-world trip, Bertrand Piccard, the project's founder, told the media on Sunday (Photo: Leonardo Attuch).

      From Sputnik – The Solar Impulse 2 (SI-2) aircraft, which uses only solar energy, took off from Cairo bound for Abu Dhabi, the final leg of its round-the-world trip, Bertrand Piccard, the project's founder, told the media on Sunday.

      “We just took off from #Cairo to complete the first solar-powered flight around the world. A dream I’ve had since 1999,” Piccard wrote on his Twitter.

      Solar Impulse 2
      © REUTERS/ JEAN REVILLARD/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS
      Andre Borschberg and Bertrand Piccard are the founders of Solar Impulse project They are taking turns at the controls of the SI-2 aircraft during the round-the-world flight, which began in March with the departure from Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. 

      The SI-2 can reach a top speed of 140 km per hour. Its wingspan is 72 meters and the weight is only 2.300 kg, equivalent to that of a car. The plane is powered by solar energy collected by more than 17.200 solar cells that cover its wings and fuselage.