A Swiss-built solar-powered aircraft took off yesterday for the first 24-hour test flight which could make history in the research of solar energy aviation. The Solar Impulse HB-SIA took off from the Payerne airbase in western Switzerland with Andre Borscherg, CEO and co-founder of the project, at the controls. The Solar Impulse team said for the whole day long the prototype will be slowly ascending to an altitude of 8,500 meters, while at the same time charging its batteries in preparation for the night flight. It should then carry on the night flying, using the energy stored in its batteries, until the next sunrise. Solar Impulse HB-SIA is the first aircraft designed to fly day and night without fuel or pollution.