A year and a half ago, Ted wrote about the announcement of a very interesting aircraft. It sounded like a great idea, but also had a hit of being one of those projects that hangs around for years without ever making much ground. Thankfully, that is not the case for this aircraft. As reported by the Associated Press on Google News, we're please to note that Bertrand Piccard unveiled the first Solar Impulse prototype on Friday!

The Solar Impulse website also has a press release about the event along with some other new information. The prototype that was unveiled isn't actually the aircraft that will be making the around the world flight in 2012. This aircraft is basically a proof of concept and a trainer. It should fly later this year and will make its first full night flight in 2010. Piccard and associates plan to use what they learn from this aircraft to refine the design for their final model. They are also working on the assumption that battery technology will make some significant strides in the next few years and produce some power sources that can store enough juice to get the Solar Impulse through an entire night of flying.

One cool feature on the site is the opportunity to help support the project...and get something in return. For 35 euros, you can become a supporter and get a new Solar Impulse patch every year. For 135 euros, you can 'adopt' one of the almost 12,000 solar cells on the aircraft. These are pretty reasonable sums that could allow an average Joe like yours truly to contribute to a project that will hopefully make a difference in aviation and in the world. (They will, of course, take more money if you're willing to give it.)

Congratulations to the Solar Impulse team! Making a 747-sized aircraft that only weighs as much as a car is an amazing feat. We're really looking forward to hearing about your first flight. We wish you clear skies and a lot of sunshine.