Solar Impulse

Solar Impulse is the name of a project to build a solar-powered long-range glider.

The driving force behind the project is the Swiss psychiatrist and aeronaut Bertrand Piccard. The project is currently in the design phase, with scientific studies of materials and design being done by the Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL).

The current schedule of the project is to get sign-off on the design phase in late 2005. The maiden flight is planned for May 2008.

The project has technical and financial backing from several established European firms, so the final aircraft will probably be a European craft, not a Swiss one. Solvay, a company that specializes in plastics and polymers, is responsible for the development of materials. Altran Technology, a leading provider of consulting and engineering services, is responsible for engineering. Semper, an asset management company, is responsible for financing.

The project plan calls for a one-seated ultra-light aircraft, with solar panels built into the structure. It will weigh about 2 tons and fly at altitudes of 12,000 meters by day and 3,000 meters by night.