Around the World on Solar Power

December 28, 2003 – Vol.8 No.40

AROUND THE WORLD ON SOLAR POWER.

There’s nothing more positive and exciting than a big new project to begin a new year.

Announced in November 2003, Solar Impulse - an airplane to be built to circumnavigate the globe under solar power - is to begin design and construction in 2004. The project is being undertaken by Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones who were the first to fly around the world in a balloon.

Aside from making cutting edge advances in solar energy, materials and aircraft design to make the trip, Solar Impulse will serve as communications platform to promote sustainable development and renewable energy.

As planned the craft must complete the trip powered only by the sunshine on its solar cell covered wings. Naturally, in order to complete the voyage Solar Impulse must be able to fly at night. But the project initiators decree the airplane will not have a hydrogen fuel cell, nor any kind of combustion engine - only solar cells and battery back-up for flying under moonlit skies.

After making the round-the-world balloon trip in 1999 the adventurers determined that another high-profile, high-flying project could be used to bring a greater interest in making technological changes needed to help the world. A quote from the Solar Impulse website says this...

... All too often, any mention of ecology provokes a lukewarm reaction in a public afraid that its comfortable existence is under threat. It is clear that environmental and energy problems cannot be resolved by reversing the achieved material comforts, but rather by changing attitudes and bringing about major technical innovations. The current state of knowledge shows that it is possible to combine quality of life with development and environmental protection. The solution to the ecological problems we face therefore lies in scientific research, information and dialogue...

The planned schedule for Solar Impulse is...

-- Design and construction of the first prototype 2004 -2005.

-- First flight of first prototype in early 2006.

-- First all-night 36 hour flight in 2007.

-- Second prototype in 2007.

-- Ultra long distance flights beginning in 2009.

The Swiss Federal Institute for Technology (EPFL) will be scientific partner for the project. Commercial sponsors are being sought. Visit Solar Impulse at http://www.solar-impulse.com/