Captain Piccard unveils Solar Impulse HB-SIA solar-powered plane

You might have seen solar-powered planes before, but few of them come with as much world-changing ambition as the Solar Impulse. Launched in 2003, the project aims to demonstrate the viability of renewable energy sources by being the first to perform a manned flight around the globe using only solar power. The technology is nothing to scoff at, as the 200-foot wingspan features 12,000 photovoltaic solar cells bringing power to four electric motors. Captain Bertrand Piccard, one of the key men behind this project, is best known as one half of the first team to circumnavigate the world in a balloon in 1999. He hopes, together with partner André Borschberg, to repeat that achievement in Solar Impulse's next iteration, the HB-SIB, in 2012. Make it so, guys.

[Via Gizmag]

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 4th 2009 5:33AM]

Is there a Jeen Luck Pickerd here?

[Andy Anonymous Posted Jul 5th 2009 11:16AM]

You're dead...and I'm God.

[DaffyDuck Posted Jul 4th 2009 8:34AM]

Go Switzerland !

[Enjo Posted Jul 4th 2009 9:53AM]

Being a 1-person aircraft means this won't work because at the first sign of trouble, Will Riker won't be around to bark out RED ALERT!!

[robothero Posted Jul 4th 2009 10:15AM]

sell it and buy an iphone, perfect way to change it.

[UhClem Posted Jul 5th 2009 9:28AM]

To avoid the need for heavy batteries, night flight will be enabled by a fleet of helicopters flying above the aircraft equipped with high intensity spotlights pointed downward at the solar arrays.

[Airlinologist Posted Jul 4th 2009 2:24PM]

Adventuring is not only for fun.
Wright Brothers (Orville and Wilbur) made a breakthrough by their invention of the three-axis control to the airplanes in 1903.
About 110 years later, Captain Piccard will add another breakthrough by using the solar power to fuel his air trip around the world.
I wish I have more than two thumbs to bring them up for that savior of the Mother Earth.
Kudos to Captain Bertrand Piccard!

[Maikeru28xx Posted Jul 4th 2009 3:36PM]

What if there's a storm?

[etcetra Posted Jul 5th 2009 12:47AM]

Is the solar plane powered by Borg Implants?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 5th 2009 4:58PM]

I bet that cost an arm n a leg.
Jesus look at his face. What's wrong with him?