A view of the unveiled aeroplane Solar Impulse. The
innovative plane is created to fly around the world powered
entirely by solar energy. (AP Photo/Winfried Rothermel)
It has the wingspan of a Boeing 747 but weighs less than
a small car. And it is powered entirely by the sun.
Adventurer Bertrand Piccard today unveiled the Solar
Impulse, which, with its sleek white wings and pink trimming,
aims to make history as the prototype for a solar-powered
flight around the world.
"Yesterday it was a dream, today it is an airplane, tomorrow
it will be an ambassador of renewable energies," said
Piccard, who in 1999 copiloted the first round-the-globe
nonstop balloon flight.
The plane will take part in a series of test flights over the
next two years, and based on the results of those a new plane
will be constructed for the big takeoff, in 2012.
In a swank ceremony at a military airfield near Zurich,
Piccard and co-pilot Andre Borschberg hugged as the curtain
was pulled across to give the public its first glimpse of the
plane. Numerous dignitaries were in attendance, including
Prince Albert of Monaco and major sponsors.
The budget for the project is euro70 million ($98 million),
Piccard said.
He and Borschberg said the plane will fly day and night using
almost 12,000 solar cells, rechargeable lithium batteries and
four electric motors. It will not use an ounce of fuel.
But the maiden flight around the planet will take time.
With the engines providing only 40 horsepower, the plane will
fly almost like a scooter in the sky. It will take off at the
pedestrian pace of 22 mph (35 kph), accelerating at altitude
to an average flight speed of 44 mph (70 kph).
Unlike the nonstop balloon trip, the solar flight will have
to make stops to allow for pilots to switch over and stretch
after long periods in the cramped cockpit.
"You can see it's really small," Borschberg said. "Thirty-six
hours is already a challenge. It tests your patience." The
plane's circumnavigation will be split up into five stages,
with the stopovers also allowing the team to show off the
plane. Borschberg said the stages in the air will last up to
five days.
A nonstop round-the-world flight will have to wait until
batteries can be made lighter so more pilot comfort can be
added to the plane.
The first test flights will be later this year, with a
complete night voyage planned for 2010.
