First round-the-world solar-powered flight to take off next month: Solar Impulse 2 will begin its 22,000-mile journey from Abu Dhabi

Solar Impulse 2 (pictured) is set to take off from Abu Dhabi with stopovers in India, Myanmar and China before crossing the Pacific Ocean and flying across the United States and southernEurope. The groundbreaking 22,000-mile (35,000km) trip, is expected to take five months. The engines of the plane - which has a wingspan of 236ft (72 metres) - will be powered only by solar
energy. Two Swisspilots will take turns at the controls in the tiny cabin for five consecutive days and nights in the air.