Solar Impulse 
around the world with a solar airplane...
Objectives
The challenge consists in conceiving an airplane capable of taking off autonomously, then climbing to an altitude of 12,000 metres, and maintaining its flight for several days with no fuel, propelling itself by means only of the solar cells mounted on its wings. In addition, it will have to use the energy accumulated during the day, not only to maintain its flight, but also to recharge its batteries and to ensure its flight at night. The pilot must ensure that each evening his batteries are full and that he maximises the available energy to stay aloft until the following dawn.
The construction uses today’s most advanced technologies and acts as a catalyst for scientific research in the field of composite structures, lightweight, so-called intelligent materials, and in ways of producing and storing energy. These results will be utilised as much in the construction of the plane, as later in various other applications useful to society.
Summary of the project
It is a long-term project, but each of its phases offers a number of opportunities for communication:
- feasibility study carried out in 2003 at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne
- announcement of the challenge on 28th November 2003
- first main sponsor signed in October 2004
- conceptual design in 2004-2005
- detailed design and assembly of the plane in 2006-2007
- first test flights and full night flight in 2008
- solar flights of several days’ duration from 2009:
- crossing of a continent,
- crossing the Atlantic,
- round the world flight with one stop in each continent.
EPFL-VRlab's contribution
In partnership with the Laboratory of Intelligent Systems, the VRlab is in charge of developing a "smart" suit for the pilot for biometric and immersive purposes. The final device should monitor the health state of the pilot and give him feedback through haptic actuators about his own situation.
Partners
The main part of the project is done within the structure of EPFL in close relationship with numerous laboratories. The European Space Agency (ESA) is supporting the Solar Impulse team, whose project represents the absolute demonstration of the possibilities of flying a plane without pollution. The ESA’s expertise is useful in a number of key technological domains: batteries and solar cells, energy management systems, ultra lightweight construction materials, pilot’s health control systems.
- AeroFEM GmbH, expert in aero-elasticity
- Bontron & Co, creative office
- Décision S.A., Bertrand Cardis, specialist in composite materials
- Etel S.A., manufacturer of electric motors
- Gochermann Solar Technology Ltd & Co, specialist in the encapsulation of solar cells
- Dr. Martin Hepperle,
expert in propulsion
- Institute of Microtechnology, Neuchâtel University, photovoltaic technology expert and specialist of new solar cells manufacturing processes
- Prof. Xavier Oberson, Oberson & Associés , professor at the University, Tax lawyer
- Ruag Aerospace, aeronautical experts
- Services industriels de Genève, battery tester specialists
- Tavernier & Tschanz, Me Jacques Bonvin, legal advisers
- Vacuumschmelze GmbH, manufacturer of permanent magnets