A remote-controlled plane powered from the ground by a laser beam has been tested by Nasa. In what is thought to be an aviation first, the development could lead to the creation of aircraft that do not need to carry on-board fuel. The small, model plane was powered entirely by the invisible beam from the ground during test flights at a hanger at Nasa's Marshall Space Flight Centre in Alabama. "It really is a groundbreaking development for aviation," said Robert Burdine, laser project manager for the test. The 300-gram (11-ounce) plane, with a 1.5 metre (five foot) wingspan was launched from a platform and a laser then began to power its engine. The plane stayed aloft until the laser was cut off, and then the aircraft glided into a landing. "The craft could keep flying as long as the energy source - in this case the laser beam - is uninterrupted," said Mr Burdine. "This is the first time that we know of that a plane has been powered only by the energy of laser light".

As the plane does not need to take on fuel or batteries, it would have more room for scientific instruments or communications equipment.

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