Solar Impulse

3rd and the Final Model(HB-SIA)

Bertrand Piccard and

50 aeronautical engineers, physicists and technicians

80 technological partners

Main partners (Solvay, Omega, Schindler )

100 advisers

and

suppliers

Cruise speed: 70 kilometres per hour (43 mph)

Endurance: 36 hours (projected)

Service ceiling: 8,500 m (27,900 ft) with a maximum altitudeof 12,000 metres (39,000 ft)

Problem on the spar

In the summer of 2012, during the final structural testof the wing spar, a problem was encountered and thespar broke. After the initial shock, the team gottogether, analyzed the problem and concluded that anadditional year was gained for new Solar Impulseadventures.

The construction of Solar Impulse 2 or HB-SIBstarted in 2011, incorporated much lessons learnedfrom the previous HB-SIA, but with more spaciouscockpit enabling the pilot to fully recline during flightsof 4-6 day duration. It will have an increasedpayload, isolated electrical circuitry to enable flightsin rain, and improved reliability through systemredundancy.

140 million Swiss Francsover 12 years including the

construction of two airplanes andthe salaries of an 80 strong team

and also other 80 companiessupported.

2003: Feasibility study at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

2004–2005: Development of the concept

2006: Simulation of long-haul flights

2006–09: First prototype (HB-SIA)

2009: First flight of prototype

2009–11: Manned test flights with prototype

2011–12: Further test flights through Europe and North Africa in 7 legs

2011–13: Construction of second prototype (HB-SIB)

2013: Continental flight across United States(Mission Across America)

2014: First flight of HB-SIB (2 June)

2015: Planned world tour in several stages

The historic moment on 8 July 2010

resulted in, not one, not two, but three world

records for HB-SIA and its pilot! The prototype

aircraft was awarded records (in “Solar-Powered

Aeroplane” category) for “Gain of Height”

(8744m), “Duration” (26h 10min 19s) and

“Absolute Altitude” (9235m).

2015 will be the year Solar Impulse hasbeen working towards: the attempt of the FirstRound-The-World Solar Flight. BertrandPiccard and André Borschberg, the two Pilotsand Founders, will fly around the world with nofuel, rising up to technical, human andoperational challenges that have never beenfaced before.