SCI/TECH: Space technologies aid solar-powered global flight bid

In March 1999, Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones, on board "Breitling Orbiter 3", accomplished what was considered to be the last great aviation adventure of the 20 th century: the first ever non-stop round-the-world flight in a balloon. Piccard has now launched 'Solar Impulse' to repeat his global circumnavigation, this time in a pollution-free solar-powered aircraft.

ESA news story

ESA's Technology Transfer Programme is to supply state-of-the-art technologies to assist adventurer Bertrand Piccard's flight around the world in a single-pilot solar-powered aircraft, as the ultimate demonstration of the potential for pollution-free flight.

This ambitious project is being presented at the '32nd International Exhibition of Inventions, New Techniques and Products' to open in Geneva, Switzerland, this week.

The proposed aircraft resembles a glider, but with a mammoth 70-metre wingspan, exceeding that of a Boeing 747. Completely covered by solar cells and equipped with possibly two tail-mounted propeller engines, the plane will be capable of unassisted take-off and will carry the necessary batteries for night flying.

Solar Impulse project website

Related project
NASA's Helios
Helios solar powered UAV

[Edited on 2-4-2004 by Zion Mainframe]