Solar Impulse has the wingspan of a Boeing 747-400, but as it is constructed from carbon fibre, it only weighs the same as an average family car (1,600 kg). Never before has such a large craft been built with such low weight, and what is more important, it will be propelled solely by PV solar energy.
The aircraft’s enormous wing spanning over 236 metres will be fitted with 10,748 mono-crystalline silicon cells, while the horizontal stabiliser will also have a further 880 cells. These 11,628 PV cells will generate electricity to power four 10 horse-power motors which, combined, will generate about the same amount of power as a scooter! Furthermore, the solar cells will produce enough energy during the day not only to power the motors but also to charge several lithium-polymer batteries, which will permit the Solar Impulse to fly through the night.
Bertrand Piccard, the man who flew round the world non-stop in 1999, declared during the unveiling of his new aircraft that: “If an aircraft is able to fly day and night without fuel, propelled solely by solar energy, let no one come and claim that it is impossible to do the same thing for motor vehicles, heating and air conditioning systems and computers. Through this project we are proclaiming our conviction that a pioneering spirit and political vision can together change society and put an end to fossil fuel dependency.”
Solar Impulse has been designed by 50 engineers at a cost of Euros 70 million. After fine-tuning on the ground, the aircraft should make its first test flights between now and the end of 2009; first of all at Dübendorf airport and then from Payerne airbase, both located in Switzerland. A first complete night flight is programmed for 2010 and will also take place in Swiss air space.
The results from the prototype (HB-SIA) and their analysis will serve to develop and build a second aircraft, the HB-SIB, for circumnavigating the word in five stages (UAE, China, Hawaii, Florida and Spain), each lasting several days, in 2012.
André Borschberg, co-founder of the project, explained that: “Meeting a challenge of this magnitude is possible only by taking maximum advantage of solar energy. Every watt counts, and we are looking to track down every form of energy-saving. Only the most advanced solutions, most of them never applied before, will permit this. It is by combining the experience and summing the potential of every team member that we believe we have found them.”
A supporters program
In response to demands from many enthusiasts, Solar Impulse announced today a program specially reserved for people wanting to participate in the adventure and to express their support of the project’s philosophy. Supporters can enroll on www.solarimpulse.com to receive news in real time, to adopt a solar cell on the wing, reserve a VIP visit at the Solar Impulse base, or place their names on the aircraft's fuselage.
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