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Solar-powered plane lands in Madrid

MADRID, July 7 (KUNA) -- A solar-powered aircraft landed in Madrid from Morocco Saturday, marking its second trip between Europe and Africa.
The Swiss Solar Impulse took 17 hours and two minutes in its 900-kilometer journey from Rabat to the Spanish capital with a speech of 60 km/h, en route to Switzerland, Spanish official TV reported.
This is Solar Impulse's second stop in Madrid. The first time was during its trip from Switzerland to Morocco last May 25 when it landed in Madrid for maintenance.
Solar Impulse HB-SIA aircraft, made of carbon fibre and flies without fuel, made its first trip in 2009.
The plane has 12,000 solar cells which supply four electrical engines. It is capable of storing energy to enable the plane to fly at night.
The wings of the 1,600-kg Solar Impulse are 63-meter long, similar to the Airbus A-340. (end) hnd.bs KUNA 080020 Jul 12NNNN