Solar Impulse 2, the first aircraft completely sustained by solar power to fly around the world, is set to take flight March 2015. The pioneers behind this extraordinary feat, Betrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg, are excited to share their story.
What is HB-SIB (Solar Impulse 2)?
Solar Impulse 2 (HB-SIB) is the upgraded version of Solar Impulse, a solar-powered aircraft. The new version was unveiled at the Payerne airbase in Switzerland in April 2014. The first prototype, Solar Impulse HB-SIA, was developed in 2009 by the team of Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg.
What is the history of the Solar Impulse?
The first prototype, Solar Impulse HB-SIA, was developed in 2009 by the team of Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg. The Solar Impulse 2 successfully completed its first flight in June and was constructed at Dübendorf, Switzerland. Flight testing was completed in 2014 and the aircraft was delivered to Abu Dhabi by a cargo plane in January 2015.
How long does it take to fly the Solar Impulse to Dallas?
Each flight leg took between 14 and 22 hours. The aircraft’s second leg of its trip on 23 May to Dallas-Fort Worth covered 1,541 kilometres (958 mi) and set several new world distance records in solar aviation. Solar Impulse 1 was placed on public display at JFK after its landing.
Solar Impulse 2, the second solar powered aircraft created by Swiss pioneers Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg, will make the first round-the-world solar flight in 2015. On June 2, 2014, test pilot Markus Scherberg took the aircraft, which has “…the wingspan of a jumbo jet and the weight of a car” on its inaugural flight.
When did the Solar Impulse first fly internationally?
On 5 June 2012, the Solar Impulse successfully completed its first intercontinental flight, a 19-hour trip from Madrid, Spain, to Rabat, Morocco.
What is the Solar Impulse Award?
An award for clean and profitable solutions. Assessed by independent experts, the Solar Impulse Efficient Solution label, serves as a credible marker of quality to decision-makers in business and governments.This will pull new technologies and products to the market and fast track their implementation.
Why partner with a support Solar Impulse?
A support to fulfill its mission. Thanks to the continued support of its partners, the Solar Impulse Foundation can fulfill its mission, fund the World Alliance for Efficient Solutions and offer all services to its Members entirely free of charge.
