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Space technologies aid solar-powered global flight bid

31 March 2004

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The Solar Impulse single-pilot aircraft will be designed to fly around the world powered only by solar energy. It will be constructed using ultra-light materials and be able to fly during the night on batteries charged during the day.

Credits: Artist concept: Oxyde.de-Sapristi / EPFL – Solar Impulse

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A helicopter, left, circles around the Breitling Orbiter 3 balloon flying over the Swiss Alps during the non-stop round-the-world flight in 1999

Credits: AP Photo/Keystone/Fabrice Coffrini

The sky's the limit for sustainable development

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The Solar Impulse aircraft will fly at an altitude of 10 000 to 11 000 metres above clouds to capture all available sunlight

Credits: Artist concept: Oxyde.de-Sapristi / EPFL – Solar Impulse

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Bertrand Piccard presents his Solar Impulse project

Credits: Alain Herzog / EPFL

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The Solar Impulse aircraft will fly at an altitude of 10 000 to 11 000 metres above clouds to capture all available sunlight. It will resemble a glider with a 70-metre wide wingspan. It will use propeller engines powered by solar-generated electricity.

Credits: Artist concept: Oxyde.de-Sapristi / EPFL – Solar Impulse

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Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones in Geneva after balloon voyage

After sailing into history as the first aviators to fly a hot-air balloon around the world nonstop, Bertrand Piccard, left, and Brian Jones greet wellwishers upon their arrival at Geneva's Cointrin Airport on 22 March, 1999. The two men completed the trip in 19 days, 21 hours and 55 minutes having flown 46 759 kilometers (29 056 miles), eventually landing.

Credits: AP Photo/Donald Stampfli

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Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones, together with pilot and engineer André Borschberg, will fly the Solar Impulse aircraft

Credits: Artist concept: Oxyde.de-Sapristi / EPFL – Solar Impulse

More information

Solar Impulse EPFL - Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Bertrand Piccard Brian Jones' Orbiter Balloon

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