Conquest the watchword for centuries but today adventure means improving quality of life, durability, respect

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Conquest the watchword for centuries but today adventure means improving quality of life, durability, respect"

Scarlett Tucker
6 years ago
Views:

UNCONDITIONAL PARTNERS Solar Impulse brings together an entire family of partners who share the project s pioneering spirit, guarantee its feasibility and are committed to promoting renewable

Above all they share the basic values of this human adventure: exploration, technological innovation, entrepreneurial excellence, passion, teamwork, dream and emotion.

They are contributing to the success of this adventure by financing the aircraft and providing support in their particular fields of expertise.

By initiating this challenge, Bertrand Piccard is continuing his family history of adventure, from the expl oration of the stratosphere and the ocean depths to his own round-the-world balloon flight.

flight, is its founder and chairman. André Borschberg, an engineer and graduate in management science, a trained fighter pilot and professional airplane and helicopter pilot, is the CEO.

One year of studies, four years of design work, two years of building and a year of testing were needed before the HB-SIA prototype could validate the concept by achieving the first ever solar

Dreams and emotions at the heart of scientific adventure Conquest the watchword for centuries but today adventure means improving quality of life, durability, respect For him, an adventure like this

The positive reactions to Solar Impulse s message already coming in from economic and political circles seem to justify this vision.

To make this dream a reality, we had to make maximum use of every single watt supplied by the sun, storing any surplus in our batteries. We tracked down every possible source of energy efficiency.

1 UNCONDITIONAL PARTNERS Solar Impulse brings together an entire family of partners who share the project s pioneering spirit, guarantee its feasibility and are committed to promoting renewable energies. GET RENEWABLE ENERGIES OFF THE GROUND! Solar Impulse s partners all have a pioneering spirit, a long-term vision and a desire to explore new horizons. Above all they share the basic values of this human adventure: exploration, technological innovation, entrepreneurial excellence, passion, teamwork, dream and emotion. Like Solar Impulse s initiators, they want to use these values to promote renewable energies and the technology necessary for protecting the environment. They are contributing to the success of this adventure by financing the aircraft and providing support in their particular fields of expertise. main PARTNERS TRAJECTORY DUAL CONTROL AN EPIC IN STAGES Solar Impulse continues a long tradition of exploration, adventure and scientific development. By initiating this challenge, Bertrand Piccard is continuing his family history of adventure, from the expl oration of the stratosphere and the ocean depths to his own round-the-world balloon flight. Two pioneers and innovators, both pilots, came together to drive forward Solar Impul se: Ber trand Piccard, doctor, psychiatrist and aeronaut, who made the first ever non-stop round-the-world balloon flight, is its founder and chairman. André Borschberg, an engineer and graduate in management science, a trained fighter pilot and professional airplane and helicopter pilot, is the CEO. The former s avant-gardist vision and skills as a communicator and the latter s entrepreneurial experience complement each other ideally. One year of studies, four years of design work, two years of building and a year of testing were needed before the HB-SIA prototype could validate the concept by achieving the first ever solar powered night flight: 26 hours, 10 minutes, 19 seconds, with 4 hours worth of surplus energy still left in the batteries on landing, and 3 World Records set. Dreams and emotions at the heart of scientific adventure Conquest the watchword for centuries but today adventure means improving quality of life, durability, respect For him, an adventure like this must serve to motivate society to face up to the challenges of our time by using clean technologies. The positive reactions to Solar Impulse s message already coming in from economic and political circles seem to justify this vision. Shaping tomorrow through the power of innovation and the pioneering spirit Just imagine your energy reserves increasing during flight! To make this dream a reality, we had to make maximum use of every single watt supplied by the sun, storing any surplus in our batteries. We tracked down every possible source of energy efficiency. By tapping into each team member s experience and using the combined potential of them all, we managed to find the solutions. André Borschberg The lessons learned from the first prototype are now being incorporated into the development of a second airplane, HB-SIB, which will attempt to fly round the world starting in The great firsts in the history of flight, such as the crossings of the USA and the Atlantic, will be re-enacted, but this time without using any fuel. Solar Impulse was not built to carry passengers, but to carry messages. We want to show what can be achieved using clean technologies, to reduce our society s dependence on fossil energies. What we can achieve in the air, anyone can do on the ground, in their everyday lives. Bertrand Piccard AROUND THE WORLD in a solar airplane Solvay The first main partner to sign up for the Solar Impulse adventure was Solvay. This international chemicals group is well known for its plastics and polymers and for its development of new materials and innovative technological solutions. Omega From the moon to the sun. For Omega, partnering this challenge is an opportunity to set out once again on the route of the pioneers and re-live an adventure which combines passion and avant-garde technological innovation, whilst bringing to the project its own expertise in micromechanics and microelectronics. Deutsche Bank A door to the world of finance and industry, Deutsche Bank brings to the project its experience of sustainable development, its passion for performance and its long-term vision which lend credibility to the fundamental and necessary link between economics and ecology. Schindler By embedding its engineers in the Solar Impulse project, Schindler again proves its «can-do» attitude and spirit of innovation, at the technological forefront for sustainable mobility. As a leading global elevator and escalator provider and a technology pioneer for clean mobility, Schindler moves 1 billion people every day. OFFICIAL PARTNERS Bayer MaterialScience World specialist in polymers, Bayer MaterialScience supports Solar Impulse with hightech materials and energy-saving lightweight products. Altran The project s engineering partner, a leader in innovation consulting, is making available to Solar Impulse its human resources and its multidisciplinary, multisectoral expertise. Swisscom The national telecommunications partner, Swisscom is developing the tools which will permit communication between the aircraft and mission control at any place around the world. INVENTING THE FUTURE OFFICIAL SUPPORTERS The Geneva company Semper, the first company to back the project, and the Clarins Group are supporting the technology vision, the thrust for innovation and the respect of the environment that Solar Impulse is championing. BKW/FMK (Forces Motrices Bernoises), Toyota Switzerland and SIG (Services Industriels de Genève) are supporting the project at national level. FLYING WITHOUT FUEL For the first time in history, an airplane has succeeded in flying night and day without any fuel, powered for 26 hours by nothing but solar energy. This flight, on 8 July 2010, brought the initial phase of the Solar Impulse adventure launched by Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg to a successful conclusion, validating their goal of demonstrating the enormous potential of new technologies for saving energy and applying renewable forms of energy. INSTITUTIONAL AND AERONAUTICS PARTNERS Following the 2003 feasibility study, the EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) became the Official Scientific Advisor, bringing to the project the competence of its various laboratories. For these knowledge explorers, Solar Impulse represents a field of very high level research with innumerable potential applications. In its quest for the ultimate in technological performance and symbolic force, Solar Impulse has set out on the precarious and risk-strewn path trodden by all pioneers. Since 2003, a team of creative mechanical and electrical engineers, physicists, IT experts, and composite material specialists have applied all their skills to build this revolutionary aircraft, capable of coming close to perpetual flight. Solar Impulse benefits from the know-how of major aerospace players such as ESA (European Space Agency), Dassault Aviation and IATA (International Air Transport Association), which have welcomed the adventure with open arms, as well as the support of EMPA, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology. OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS Victorinox SolarMax La Semeuse (coffee) Hirslanden Private Hospital Group Vacuumschmelze Decision SA. around the world IN a solar airplane PSE-C, EPFL Scientific Park CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland TeL.: +41 (0) FAX: +41 (0) INFO@SOLARIMPULSE.COM

NIGHT FLYING THANKS TO THE SUN VISION Solar Impulse believes in the power of symbols.

emissions, Solar Impulse is demonstrating the enormous potential of new technologies for energy saving and the production of

It is also philosophical, by virtue of its concern to heighten awareness in society of the need to be sparing with our planet s

CHALLENGE To produce an aircraft that will take off and fly autonomously both day and night, propelled only by solar energy, is a

Solar Impulse s 70 engineers and technicians, supported by a hundred or so experts and advisers, have had to apply highly

With its successful flight through night and day, the HB-SIA prototype became the first aircraft to come close to perpetual flight.

constructional and aerodynamic features never before encountered.

energy, resist high altitude factors hostile to both materials and pilot, and to combine the constraints of weight with the need

Dependence on fossil energies is no longer inevitable Alternative energy coupled with new technology can achieve what seemed

By flying night and day without any fuel, the HB-SIA prototype flown by Andre Borschberg validated the digital simulations and

the courage to promote them on a massive scale would allow us to reduce our dependence on fossil energies significantly.

2 NIGHT FLYING THANKS TO THE SUN VISION Solar Impulse believes in the power of symbols. By writing new pages of aviation history with solar energy, including even a round-the-world flight with no fuel or polluting emissions, Solar Impulse is demonstrating the enormous potential of new technologies for energy saving and the production of renewable energies. This Solar Impulse initiative is both scientific and innovative. It is also philosophical, by virtue of its concern to heighten awareness in society of the need to be sparing with our planet s energy resources. CHALLENGE To produce an aircraft that will take off and fly autonomously both day and night, propelled only by solar energy, is a tremendous challenge that required the optimization of new kinds of technology and a drastic reduction in energy consumption. Solar Impulse s 70 engineers and technicians, supported by a hundred or so experts and advisers, have had to apply highly innovative aeronautical solutions. Whilst not the first solar aircraft project, Solar Impulse is certainly the most ambitious. With its successful flight through night and day, the HB-SIA prototype became the first aircraft to come close to perpetual flight. AIRPLANE With the giant wingspan of an Airbus A340 and a miniscule weight, that of an average car, the HB-SIA prototype presents constructional and aerodynamic features never before encountered. Carbon fibre structure, propulsion chain, flight envelope and instrumentation, ever ything has been rethought and designed to save energy, resist high altitude factors hostile to both materials and pilot, and to combine the constraints of weight with the need for strength. Dependence on fossil energies is no longer inevitable Alternative energy coupled with new technology can achieve what seemed impossible More than an airplane a state of mind to encourage energy saving FIRST OBJECTIVE ACHIEVED THE NIGHT FLIGHT! By flying night and day without any fuel, the HB-SIA prototype flown by Andre Borschberg validated the digital simulations and technological choices, above all lending credibility to Bertrand Piccard s message: Today s technologies if only governments had the courage to promote them on a massive scale would allow us to reduce our dependence on fossil energies significantly. It s not only the environment that would be a winner. Job creation and purchasing power would also benefit from opening up these fascinating development perspectives. This success has caught the attention of numerous political decision-makers and parliamentary commissions. They are expressing interest in using Solar Impulse as an example, to encourage the launch of more ambitious policies for energy and the environment. To support these initiatives, the Solar Impulse Foundation has launched an educational program to encourage young people to embrace the pioneering spirit

3 UNCONDITIONAL PARTNERS Solar Impulse brings together an entire family of partners who share the project s pioneering spirit, guarantee its feasibility and are committed to promoting renewable energies. GET RENEWABLE ENERGIES OFF THE GROUND! Solar Impulse s partners all have a pioneering spirit, a long-term vision and a desire to explore new horizons. Above all they share the basic values of this human adventure: exploration, technological innovation, entrepreneurial excellence, passion, teamwork, dream and emotion. Like Solar Impulse s initiators, they want to use these values to promote renewable energies and the technology necessary for protecting the environment. They are contributing to the success of this adventure by financing the aircraft and providing support in their particular fields of expertise. main PARTNERS TRAJECTORY DUAL CONTROL AN EPIC IN STAGES Solar Impulse continues a long tradition of exploration, adventure and scientific development. By initiating this challenge, Bertrand Piccard is continuing his family history of adventure, from the expl oration of the stratosphere and the ocean depths to his own round-the-world balloon flight. Two pioneers and innovators, both pilots, came together to drive forward Solar Impul se: Ber trand Piccard, doctor, psychiatrist and aeronaut, who made the first ever non-stop round-the-world balloon flight, is its founder and chairman. André Borschberg, an engineer and graduate in management science, a trained fighter pilot and professional airplane and helicopter pilot, is the CEO. The former s avant-gardist vision and skills as a communicator and the latter s entrepreneurial experience complement each other ideally. One year of studies, four years of design work, two years of building and a year of testing were needed before the HB-SIA prototype could validate the concept by achieving the first ever solar powered night flight: 26 hours, 10 minutes, 19 seconds, with 4 hours worth of surplus energy still left in the batteries on landing, and 3 World Records set. Dreams and emotions at the heart of scientific adventure Conquest the watchword for centuries but today adventure means improving quality of life, durability, respect For him, an adventure like this must serve to motivate society to face up to the challenges of our time by using clean technologies. The positive reactions to Solar Impulse s message already coming in from economic and political circles seem to justify this vision. Shaping tomorrow through the power of innovation and the pioneering spirit Just imagine your energy reserves increasing during flight! To make this dream a reality, we had to make maximum use of every single watt supplied by the sun, storing any surplus in our batteries. We tracked down every possible source of energy efficiency. By tapping into each team member s experience and using the combined potential of them all, we managed to find the solutions. André Borschberg The lessons learned from the first prototype are now being incorporated into the development of a second airplane, HB-SIB, which will attempt to fly round the world starting in The great firsts in the history of flight, such as the crossings of the USA and the Atlantic, will be re-enacted, but this time without using any fuel. Solar Impulse was not built to carry passengers, but to carry messages. We want to show what can be achieved using clean technologies, to reduce our society s dependence on fossil energies. What we can achieve in the air, anyone can do on the ground, in their everyday lives. Bertrand Piccard AROUND THE WORLD in a solar airplane Solvay The first main partner to sign up for the Solar Impulse adventure was Solvay. This international chemicals group is well known for its plastics and polymers and for its development of new materials and innovative technological solutions. Omega From the moon to the sun. For Omega, partnering this challenge is an opportunity to set out once again on the route of the pioneers and re-live an adventure which combines passion and avant-garde technological innovation, whilst bringing to the project its own expertise in micromechanics and microelectronics. Deutsche Bank A door to the world of finance and industry, Deutsche Bank brings to the project its experience of sustainable development, its passion for performance and its long-term vision which lend credibility to the fundamental and necessary link between economics and ecology. Schindler By embedding its engineers in the Solar Impulse project, Schindler again proves its «can-do» attitude and spirit of innovation, at the technological forefront for sustainable mobility. As a leading global elevator and escalator provider and a technology pioneer for clean mobility, Schindler moves 1 billion people every day. OFFICIAL PARTNERS Bayer MaterialScience World specialist in polymers, Bayer MaterialScience supports Solar Impulse with hightech materials and energy-saving lightweight products. Altran The project s engineering partner, a leader in innovation consulting, is making available to Solar Impulse its human resources and its multidisciplinary, multisectoral expertise. Swisscom The national telecommunications partner, Swisscom is developing the tools which will permit communication between the aircraft and mission control at any place around the world. INVENTING THE FUTURE OFFICIAL SUPPORTERS The Geneva company Semper, the first company to back the project, and the Clarins Group are supporting the technology vision, the thrust for innovation and the respect of the environment that Solar Impulse is championing. BKW/FMK (Forces Motrices Bernoises), Toyota Switzerland and SIG (Services Industriels de Genève) are supporting the project at national level. FLYING WITHOUT FUEL For the first time in history, an airplane has succeeded in flying night and day without any fuel, powered for 26 hours by nothing but solar energy. This flight, on 8 July 2010, brought the initial phase of the Solar Impulse adventure launched by Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg to a successful conclusion, validating their goal of demonstrating the enormous potential of new technologies for saving energy and applying renewable forms of energy. INSTITUTIONAL AND AERONAUTICS PARTNERS Following the 2003 feasibility study, the EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) became the Official Scientific Advisor, bringing to the project the competence of its various laboratories. For these knowledge explorers, Solar Impulse represents a field of very high level research with innumerable potential applications. In its quest for the ultimate in technological performance and symbolic force, Solar Impulse has set out on the precarious and risk-strewn path trodden by all pioneers. Since 2003, a team of creative mechanical and electrical engineers, physicists, IT experts, and composite material specialists have applied all their skills to build this revolutionary aircraft, capable of coming close to perpetual flight. Solar Impulse benefits from the know-how of major aerospace players such as ESA (European Space Agency), Dassault Aviation and IATA (International Air Transport Association), which have welcomed the adventure with open arms, as well as the support of EMPA, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology. OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS Victorinox SolarMax La Semeuse (coffee) Hirslanden Private Hospital Group Vacuumschmelze Decision SA. around the world IN a solar airplane PSE-C, EPFL Scientific Park CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland TeL.: +41 (0) FAX: +41 (0) INFO@SOLARIMPULSE.COM

4 THE ZERO FUEL AIRPLANE TESTS AND VIRTUAL FLIGHTS ENERGY CAPTURE AND STORAGE STRUCTURE AND MATERIALS Calculations, tests and simulations are an integral part of each project phase. During construction, wing-loading and vibration tests allowed the engineers to fine-tune their models and then move forward step by step into totally unknown territory. In preparation for the first flight tests, a simulator was specially developed to train the pilots to operate in the tiny 1,3 cm 3 cockpit, and control an aircraft whose large span and low wing-loading result in tricky handling characteristics. The multi-disciplinary mission team simulated countless flights, in search of the most suitable weather patterns, to secure access for the solar aircraft to controlled airspace, and to prepare for landings at international airports. To succeed, the project must maximize aerodynamic performance and optimize the energy chain. The monocrystalline silicon cells covering the wing and horizontal stabilizer, each 150 microns thick, were selected for their lightness, flexibility and output (22 %). Their energy efficiency could have been higher still, but the additional weight would have penalized the aircraft during night flight. This being the most critical phase of flight, the major constraint in the project is storing enough energy in the lithium polymer batteries, whose energy density is 240 Wh/kg. Situated in the four engine nacelles, these batteries weigh in total 400 kg, a quarter of the total weight of the aircraft. Attaining a wingspan in excess of 63 m with a weight of only 1600 kg represents a major first in the world of aviation, as regards robustness, lightness and manoeuvrability. Solar Impulse is built of composite materials, consisting of a carbon fibre-honeycomb sandwich structure. The upper wing surface is covered with a skin of embedded solar cells, and the undersides of the wings with a high-resistance flexible film. 120 carbon-fibre ribs placed at 50 cm intervals give the wing its aerodynamic profile as well as ensuring its rigidity.

5 first DAY/NIGHT SOLAR FLIGHT IN HISTORY > The wingspan of an Airbus A340, in order to minimize induced drag and offer maximum possible surface area for the solar cells > The weight of a family car every unnecessary gram has been eliminated in order to build a super-light aircraft > The average power of a scooter, after optimizing to the extreme the entire energy chain > Seven years of calculation, simulation, construction and testing > A multidisciplinary team with 70 specialists, 80 partners and about a hundred advisers PROPULSION SYSTEM Fitted beneath the wings of HB-SIA are four nacelles, each containing a 10 HP motor, a lithium polymer battery set and a management system controlling charge / discharge and temperature. The thermal insulation has been designed to conserve the heat radiated by the batteries and so keep them functioning despite the -40 C encountered at 8500 meters. Each engine is fitted with a reduction gear that restricts each 3,5 meters diameter, twin-bladed propeller to an RPM in the range of ENERGY RESOURCES At midday, each m² of land surface receives the equivalent of 1000 watts, or 1,3 horsepower of light power. But over 24 hours this averages out at just 250 W/m². With 200 m² of photovoltaic cells and 12 % total efficiency of the propulsion chain, HB-SIA s four engines achieve on average only 8 HP or 6 KW roughly the amount of power the Wright brothers had available to them in 1903 when they made their first powered flight. And it is with this energy, optimized from the solar panel to the propeller by the efforts of an entire team, that Solar Impulse managed to fly day and night without fuel! TECHNICAL DATASHEET Wingspan 63,40 m Length 21,85 m Height 6,40 m Power source 4 x 10 HP electric engines Solar cells ( on the wing, 880 on the horizontal stabilizer) Weight 1600 kg Average flying speed 70 km/h Take-off speed 44 km/h Stalling speed 35 km/h Maximum cruising altitude 8500 m ( ft) 3 World Records in the solar-powered aircraft category: Duration (26 h, 10 min, 19 sec); Absolute altitude (9235 m, ft); Gain of height (8744 m, ft)

6 UNCONDITIONAL PARTNERS Solar Impulse brings together an entire family of partners who share the project s pioneering spirit, guarantee its feasibility and are committed to promoting renewable energies. GET RENEWABLE ENERGIES OFF THE GROUND! Solar Impulse s partners all have a pioneering spirit, a long-term vision and a desire to explore new horizons. Above all they share the basic values of this human adventure: exploration, technological innovation, entrepreneurial excellence, passion, teamwork, dream and emotion. Like Solar Impulse s initiators, they want to use these values to promote renewable energies and the technology necessary for protecting the environment. They are contributing to the success of this adventure by financing the aircraft and providing support in their particular fields of expertise. main PARTNERS TRAJECTORY DUAL CONTROL AN EPIC IN STAGES Solar Impulse continues a long tradition of exploration, adventure and scientific development. By initiating this challenge, Bertrand Piccard is continuing his family history of adventure, from the expl oration of the stratosphere and the ocean depths to his own round-the-world balloon flight. Two pioneers and innovators, both pilots, came together to drive forward Solar Impul se: Ber trand Piccard, doctor, psychiatrist and aeronaut, who made the first ever non-stop round-the-world balloon flight, is its founder and chairman. André Borschberg, an engineer and graduate in management science, a trained fighter pilot and professional airplane and helicopter pilot, is the CEO. The former s avant-gardist vision and skills as a communicator and the latter s entrepreneurial experience complement each other ideally. One year of studies, four years of design work, two years of building and a year of testing were needed before the HB-SIA prototype could validate the concept by achieving the first ever solar powered night flight: 26 hours, 10 minutes, 19 seconds, with 4 hours worth of surplus energy still left in the batteries on landing, and 3 World Records set. Dreams and emotions at the heart of scientific adventure Conquest the watchword for centuries but today adventure means improving quality of life, durability, respect For him, an adventure like this must serve to motivate society to face up to the challenges of our time by using clean technologies. The positive reactions to Solar Impulse s message already coming in from economic and political circles seem to justify this vision. Shaping tomorrow through the power of innovation and the pioneering spirit Just imagine your energy reserves increasing during flight! To make this dream a reality, we had to make maximum use of every single watt supplied by the sun, storing any surplus in our batteries. We tracked down every possible source of energy efficiency. By tapping into each team member s experience and using the combined potential of them all, we managed to find the solutions. André Borschberg The lessons learned from the first prototype are now being incorporated into the development of a second airplane, HB-SIB, which will attempt to fly round the world starting in The great firsts in the history of flight, such as the crossings of the USA and the Atlantic, will be re-enacted, but this time without using any fuel. Solar Impulse was not built to carry passengers, but to carry messages. We want to show what can be achieved using clean technologies, to reduce our society s dependence on fossil energies. What we can achieve in the air, anyone can do on the ground, in their everyday lives. Bertrand Piccard AROUND THE WORLD in a solar airplane Solvay The first main partner to sign up for the Solar Impulse adventure was Solvay. This international chemicals group is well known for its plastics and polymers and for its development of new materials and innovative technological solutions. Omega From the moon to the sun. For Omega, partnering this challenge is an opportunity to set out once again on the route of the pioneers and re-live an adventure which combines passion and avant-garde technological innovation, whilst bringing to the project its own expertise in micromechanics and microelectronics. Deutsche Bank A door to the world of finance and industry, Deutsche Bank brings to the project its experience of sustainable development, its passion for performance and its long-term vision which lend credibility to the fundamental and necessary link between economics and ecology. Schindler By embedding its engineers in the Solar Impulse project, Schindler again proves its «can-do» attitude and spirit of innovation, at the technological forefront for sustainable mobility. As a leading global elevator and escalator provider and a technology pioneer for clean mobility, Schindler moves 1 billion people every day. OFFICIAL PARTNERS Bayer MaterialScience World specialist in polymers, Bayer MaterialScience supports Solar Impulse with hightech materials and energy-saving lightweight products. Altran The project s engineering partner, a leader in innovation consulting, is making available to Solar Impulse its human resources and its multidisciplinary, multisectoral expertise. Swisscom The national telecommunications partner, Swisscom is developing the tools which will permit communication between the aircraft and mission control at any place around the world. INVENTING THE FUTURE OFFICIAL SUPPORTERS The Geneva company Semper, the first company to back the project, and the Clarins Group are supporting the technology vision, the thrust for innovation and the respect of the environment that Solar Impulse is championing. BKW/FMK (Forces Motrices Bernoises), Toyota Switzerland and SIG (Services Industriels de Genève) are supporting the project at national level. FLYING WITHOUT FUEL For the first time in history, an airplane has succeeded in flying night and day without any fuel, powered for 26 hours by nothing but solar energy. This flight, on 8 July 2010, brought the initial phase of the Solar Impulse adventure launched by Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg to a successful conclusion, validating their goal of demonstrating the enormous potential of new technologies for saving energy and applying renewable forms of energy. INSTITUTIONAL AND AERONAUTICS PARTNERS Following the 2003 feasibility study, the EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) became the Official Scientific Advisor, bringing to the project the competence of its various laboratories. For these knowledge explorers, Solar Impulse represents a field of very high level research with innumerable potential applications. In its quest for the ultimate in technological performance and symbolic force, Solar Impulse has set out on the precarious and risk-strewn path trodden by all pioneers. Since 2003, a team of creative mechanical and electrical engineers, physicists, IT experts, and composite material specialists have applied all their skills to build this revolutionary aircraft, capable of coming close to perpetual flight. Solar Impulse benefits from the know-how of major aerospace players such as ESA (European Space Agency), Dassault Aviation and IATA (International Air Transport Association), which have welcomed the adventure with open arms, as well as the support of EMPA, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology. OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS Victorinox SolarMax La Semeuse (coffee) Hirslanden Private Hospital Group Vacuumschmelze Decision SA. around the world IN a solar airplane PSE-C, EPFL Scientific Park CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland TeL.: +41 (0) FAX: +41 (0) INFO@SOLARIMPULSE.COM

AROUND THE WORLD IN A SOLAR AIRPLANE

AROUND THE WORLD IN A SOLAR AIRPLANE INVENTING THE FUTURE READY FOR THE FIRST TEST FLIGHTS For six years, from initial concept to finished product, structure and materials specialists, engineers, physicists