Solar Impulse & Clarins

André Borschberg and Bertrand Piccard

After the eight world records set by the prototype of Solar Impulse, the first solar-powered aeroplane to successfully fly by night, travel between two continents and cross the United States, it was time for Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg to move on to the final stage of the adventure: the 2015 around-the-world trip.

Solar Impulse 2 was built to meet this challenge: a solar-powered aeroplane with a gigantic wingspan, a real flying technological laboratory with virtually perpetual endurance, capable of crossing oceans and continents, flying several days and nights in a row.

What better way to demonstrate the importance of an innovative and pioneering spirit than achieving the impossible with renewable energies and delivering new solutions to environmental problems?

Solar Impulse 2 is an aeroplane propelled solely by solar energy. Its latest challenge: an around-the-world trip that began on 9 March 2015. Each night, the plane flies using the energy accumulated during the day. Every morning at dawn, the gauge slowly begins to rise again with the sun. A pioneering adventure.

DISCOVER THE SOLAR IMPULSE ADVENTURE

With a wingspan of 72 metres, equivalent to that of a Boeing 747-800, but with a trifling total weight of 2,300 kg, Solar Impulse 2 is the first aeroplane propelled solely by solar energy, capable of flying without fuel and without creating any pollution.

17,000 solar cells supply the aeroplane's four electric motors with renewable energy. During the day, the solar cells recharge the lithium batteries, which allow the machine to fly at night and enjoy virtually unlimited endurance.

17,000 silicon cells 2,300 kg 3.8 m³ cabin Energy storage 4 motors

Working in extreme physical conditions, the pilots took turns at the controls and spent up to five consecutive days in Solar Impulse's cockpit, a limited space of 3.8 m³. They had to withstand temperatures ranging from -40°C to +40°C in a non-pressurised and unheated cabin.

The two crew members had trained for months using meditation, self-hypnosis and yoga techniques to be able to cope with the extreme flight conditions and to rest relying on micro amounts of piecemeal sleep.