Solar Impulse: Making the Impossible Possible

21 Apr 2017
08:05 - 08:35

Solar Impulse: Making the Impossible Possible

In addition to covering the breakthrough technologies whose convergence enabled the record-setting Solar Impulse to circle the globe on zero fuel, the presentation will focus on the larger import of this great achievement as inspiration for both the passionate effort of a select and diverse team of experts and as an awakening across the globe to the promise of developing renewable energy and emission-free vehicles. A dialogue of Q & A will follow to discuss how this achievement can best help advance aviation and clean energy.

Payerne, Switzerland: Today,Solar Impulse 2, the second single-seater solar aircraft of Bertrand Piccard and AndrÈ Borschberg designed to take up the challenge of the first round-the-world solar flight, without any fuel in 2015, carried out its first flight out of the Payerne aerodrome in Switzerland. There will be several other test flights taking place in the coming months in order for this experimental machine to attain certification. They will be followed by training flights of Bertrand Piccard and AndrÈ Borschberg later in the season still from Payerne airfield. The attempt to make the first round-the-world solar-powered flight is scheduled to start in March 2015 from Gulf area. Solar Impulse will fly, in order, over the Arabian Sea, India, Burma, China, the Pacific Ocean, the United States, the Atlantic Ocean and Southern Europe or Northern Africa before closing the loop by

Abu Dhabi, UAE, March 1rst 2015: Solar Impulse 2, the only solar single-seater airplane able to fly day and night without a drop of fuel, is flying over Abu Dhabi (UAE) undertaking preparation flights for the first ever Round-The-World Solar Flight which will be attempted starting early March from Abu Dhabi. Swiss founders and pilots, Bertrand Piccard and AndrÈ Borschberg, hope to demonstrate how pioneering spirit, innovation and clean technologies can change the world. The duo will take turns flying Solar Impulse 2, changing at each stop and will fly over the Arabian Sea, to India, to Myanmar, to China, across the Pacific Ocean, to the United States, over the Atlantic Ocean to Southern Europe or Northern Africa before finishing the journey by returning to the initial departure point. Landings will be made every few days to switch pilots and organize public events for governments, schools and universities.

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Abu Dhabi, UAE, March 1st 2015: Solar Impulse 2 succesfully accomplished the first test flight since the reassembly with the test pilot Markus Scherdel at the controls. Solar Impulse, the only airplane of perpetual endurance, able to fly day and night without a drop of fuel, powered only by the sun’s rays, will attempt the First Round-The-World Solar Flight in 2015. Swiss founders and pilots, Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg, hope to demonstrate how pioneering spirit, innovation and clean technologies can change the world. Departure is scheduled for early March from Abu Dhabi. The duo will take turns flying Solar Impulse 2, changing at each stop and will fly in order, over the Arabian Sea, to India, to Myanmar, to China, across the Pacific Ocean, to the United States, over the Atlantic Ocean and to Southern Europe or Northern Africa before finfishing the journey by returning to the initial point of departure point. Landings will be made every few days to switch pilots and organize public events for governments, schools and universities.