Solar Impulse Lands in Ouarzazate

The experimental solar aircraft Solar Impulse, the first of its kind to make an intercontinental flight to Morocco, landed Thursday night at Ouarzazate airport (southern Morocco) after 17 and a half hours in a flight described as the "most difficult" by the project team since its inception.

Led by the Swiss Andre Borschberg, the aircraft landed at 12:30 A.M. local time (GMT +1) after lifting off Thursday at 7:00 A.M. from Rabat-Salé airport, a week after being forced to turn back because of unexpected strong winds.

Founder and co-pilot of Solar Impulse, Bertrand Piccard said that the attempt last week allowed the project team to refine forecasts and introduce adjustments to the trajectory of the plane.