Meet MS Turanor Planet Solar -- the world's largest solar-powered boat.
Grand entrance —
Meet MS Turanor Planet Solar -- the world's largest solar-powered boat.
Courtesy Ania Dabrowka
The 35-meter catamaran arrived in London last week, cruising under iconic Tower Bridge on the last stop of a scientific mission across the Atlantic.
Bridge the gap —
The 35-meter catamaran arrived in London last week, cruising under iconic Tower Bridge on the last stop of a scientific mission across the Atlantic.
Courtesy Ania Dabrowska
Featuring an expandable deck covered in over 500 square meters of solar panels, the 60-ton vessel is completely powered by the sun. More than 800 solar panels charge enormous lithium-ion batteries stowed in the catamaran's twin hulls -- which power two electric motors at the back.
Futuristic design —
Featuring an expandable deck covered in over 500 square meters of solar panels, the 60-ton vessel is completely powered by the sun. More than 800 solar panels charge enormous lithium-ion batteries stowed in the catamaran's twin hulls -- which power two electric motors at the back.
Courtesy Anthony Collins
The $16 million vessel cut an impressive figure against London's skyline -- marking the end of an almost three-month scientific expedition along the warm Gulf Stream. Setting off from Miami in June, the boat wound its way past New York, Boston, and Halifax before arriving in the British capital city.
Brave new world —
The $16 million vessel cut an impressive figure against London's skyline -- marking the end of an almost three-month scientific expedition along the warm Gulf Stream. Setting off from Miami in June, the boat wound its way past New York, Boston, and Halifax before arriving in the British capital city.
Courtesy Thi Anh Dao Le
The high-tech vessel (seen here sailing past London's O2 arena) had been examining water and air samples as part its research into climate change.
Floating laboratory —
The high-tech vessel (seen here sailing past London's O2 arena) had been examining water and air samples as part its research into climate change.
Courtesy Thi Anh Dao Le
"The fact that the boat doesn't create any pollutants means what we measure is as natural as possible," said the boat's onboard climatologist, Martin Beniston.
Scientific surface —
"The fact that the boat doesn't create any pollutants means what we measure is as natural as possible," said the boat's onboard climatologist, Martin Beniston.
Courtesy Ania Dabrowska
It's not the first time the remarkable boat has made headlines. In May last year it also became the first solar-powered vessel to circumnavigate the globe, traveling at an average speed of five knots.
Big apple, big boat —
It's not the first time the remarkable boat has made headlines. In May last year it also became the first solar-powered vessel to circumnavigate the globe, traveling at an average speed of five knots.
Courtesy Anthony Collins
"The boat has a very special look, with her expandable deck," says captain Gerard d'Aboville. "In fact, we were two miles off the coast of Monaco when some people called the police to say there was an airplane on the water."
She's got the look —
"The boat has a very special look, with her expandable deck," says captain Gerard d'Aboville. "In fact, we were two miles off the coast of Monaco when some people called the police to say there was an airplane on the water."
Courtesy Planet Solar