Solar Impulse: A milestone in the aviation history

Solar Impulse: A milestone in the aviation history

  July 09, 2010    Pradeep Padma

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Solar impulse a solar-powered plane made a successful 24 hr test fly on Wednesday July 7, 2010. 

The single seated plane developed by Swiss team, proved that the aircraft can collect enough solar energy during the day to stay aloft all night.The team considers it as a mile stone in the aviation history.

They aim at developing a solar-powered plane flying day and night without fuel. The plane is equipped with 12,000 solar cells which could fill up its batteries with enough solar energy can fly through the night.  It has a wingspan of 63.4 meters, the same as an Airbus A340 and a length of 21.85 meters, the Solar Impulse craft weighs 1,600 kg. It can fly an average speed of 70 kilometers (43 miles) per hour.

The 57 year old Pilot Andre Borsch berg took off from Switzerland at about 7 a.m. early morning. The aircraft landed on Thursday at 9.01 am (0701 GMT) at Payerne airbase in western Switzerland.

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Paul Predicts: Spain will win the World Cup 2010

Paul Predicts: Spain will win the World Cup 2010

  July 09, 2010    Priya

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Paul has predicted Spain will win the World Cup by picking Spain's flag.

Paul the octopus (eight legged creature) in a German aquarium, who never kicked a ball achieved celebrity status in the soccer world. Paul correctly predicted the results of all matches played by Germany including the 1-0 defeat to Spain in the semi-finals. He predicted the Germany's victory over England, Argentina and Serbia.

Aquarium authorities normally put mussels into two glass boxes, with one box having Germany's flag and other with opponent's flag. The two boxes are then lowered into his tank and he is left to choose one box to open to retrieve the mussel. The box Paul opens first is regarded as his pick. Paul's picks have become news across the world. German news channels broadcast Paul's prediction live. He is one among the top 10 trends on Twitter.

But the Germans now want to grill and eat the octopus when he correctly picked the winner of Semifinal. The Germans were shocked and disappointed when he picked Spain. Earlier Argentines threatened to kill the octopus who predicted Argentina's loss in the quarter-final.

The fans are happy and the prediction comes as a boost to the Spain ahead of the final against Holland at Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg on Sunday.

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