Jetline marvel

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JETLINE marvel I January 2015
ROBUSTNESS
After the Solar Impulse prototype’s 8 world records, when it became the first solar airplane ever to fly
through the night, between two continents, and across the United States, it is time for Bertrand Piccard
and André Borschberg to move on to the final phase of the adventure: the 2015 round-the-world flight.
The airframe is made of composite materials: carbon
fibre and honeycomb sandwich.
The upper wing surface is covered by a skin consisting of
encapsulated solar cells, and the lower surface by a highstrength,
flexible skin. 140 carbon-fiber ribs spaced at 50
cm intervals give the wing its aerodynamic cross-section,
and also maintain its rigidity.
DATA: BUILDING A SOLAR AIRPLANE
The Solar Impulse project in numbers:
12 years of feasibility study, concept, design and construction
50 engineers and technicians
80 technological partners
More than 100 advisers and suppliers
1 prototype (Solar Impulse 1, registered as HB-SIA)
1 final airplane
(Solar Impulse 2, registered as HB-SIB)
Altitude
What better way to demonstrate the importance of the pioneering, innovatory spirit than by achieving
“impossible” things with renewable energy and highlighting new solutions for environmental problems?
In order to save energy, the aircraft climbs to 8’500 m during the day and descents to 1,500 m at night.
VISION
Solar Impulse believes in the power of symbols. By writing new pages of aviation history using solar energy,
including even a round-the-world flight with no fuel and no polluting emissions, Solar Impulse is demonstrating
the enormous potential of clean technologies for energy saving and renewable energy production. Bertrand
Piccard’s vision is both scientific and inno- vative. It also has a philosophical dimen- sion, with its concern to raise
society’s awareness of the need to be sparing with the planet’s energy resources.
CHALLENGE
To produce an aircraft that will take off and fly autonomously day and night, propelled only by solar energy, was
a tremendous challenge. It required the optimization of new kinds of technology and a drastic reduction in
energy consumption. Solar Impulse’s 80 engi- neers and technicians, under André Borschberg’s leadership, have
had to apply highly innovative technological solu- tions. Whilst Solar Impulse is not the first solar aircraft project,
it’s certainly the most ambitious. With its successful 26-hour night flight, Solar Impulse 1 became the first aircraft
ever to come close to perpetual flight
An overview of the First Round-The-World Solar Flight, in numbers:
2 pilots, Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg, flying one after the other in the single-seater cockpit
1 airplane: Solar Impulse 2
Zero fuel on board
A 35,000km (22,000
miles) journey
500 flying hours approx.
10 legs approx., some lasting
more than 5 days and nights
A 5-month mission (March-
August 2015)
SYMBOL
A 60 people support team
In accomplishing the first night flight without fuel, Solar Impulse 1, piloted by André Borschberg, lent credibility
to Bertrand Piccard’s message : “ If governments had the courage to pro- mote clean technologies on a massive
scale, our society could simultaneously reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, cre- ate jobs and stimulate
sustainable growth. ” This success captured the imagination of many political authorities, who began using Solar
Impulse as an encouraging example to motivate implementation of more ambitious energy and environ- mental
programs
In July 2010, HB-SIA became the
first solar-powered airplane in
history capable of flying through
a complete day/night cycle
without fuel, thereby establishing
3 World Records.