Aurora begins testing SunLight Eagle, the unmanned solar powered aircraft

Aurora begins testing SunLight Eagle, the unmanned solar powered aircraft
2012 may be the end of the world, but people are not wasting time trying to get their lives accustomed to alternative energy. Aurora Flight Sciences will begin testing solar-powered unmanned aircraft within the national irspace. The tests will be conducted at Las Cruces, New Mexico, under the auspices of New Mexico State University (NMSU). The Aurora plane named SunLight Eagle has a wingspan of 114 feet. To convert it to fly on sunlight, its wings have been covered with solar cells.

Electricity from the solar cells drives an electric motor, which turns the 12-foot diameter propeller at the front of the aircraft. The solar cells also charge high-performance batteries, which will allow the aircraft to fly at night or on cloudy days. Aurora plans to fly the aircraft above 50,000 on flights lasting several days.
Source