Solar Impulse Exhibition (ENG)

Promoting clean
technologies to
fight climate
change
Exploring beyond
boundaries of
current knowledge
Bringing hope to
inspire present and
future generations
Breaking barriers
to show new ways
of doing and
thinking
Demonstrating
a major advance
in materials,
lightweight
technology and
energy efficiency
Providing innovative
solutions to face
challenges of our
time
Inventing the
future through
the power
of innovation
An idea born in Switzerland Follow us on :
TWO PIONEERS, A TEAM, AN AIRPLANE
ACHIEVING THE IMPOSSIBLE
AROUND THE WORLD WITHOUT FUEL
EXPLORATION
TO CHANGE
THE WORLD
> How to handle very long-duration flights and anticipate all
scenarios?
> How to react to changing weather conditions and find the
best route?
> How can the pilot fly through the night on battery energy
alone before the next sunrise allows him to continue on
track?
> How will the pilot manage to cross the oceans when the
flight conditions at the end of the route are unpredictable?
> How will the systems behave on an aircraft as innovative
as this one?
AT EACH STEP, RENEWED SUSPENSE...
www.solarimpulse.com

THEPILOTS
THE FLYING EXPLORER,
in an unpressurized and unheated
cockpit for very long flight durations,
will have to demonstrate outstanding
endurance and vigilance in spite of
extreme conditions.

THE PILOTS
ALONE IN
THE SKY
Tailor-made autopilot
incorporating a flight-
envelope monitoring system
capable of alerting the
pilot through vibrations
on his arms
Daily requirement
for nourishment
2.4 kg (5.2 lbs.) of food,
2.5 l (84.5 oz.) of water
and 1 l (33.8 oz.) of
sports drinks
Fatigue management
through self-hypnosis
and meditation techniques
Living space of 3.8 m3
fitted with a couchette
seat with integrated toilet
Intelligent nylon fiber
used in pilot’s clothing for
a stable body temperature
Live satellite connection
to the Mission Control Center
Resting strategy
about 12 x 20 mins
during a 24 h cycle over
unpopulated areas
Tests of vigilance
carried out 4 times a day
Human endurance
for a flight lasting
5 consecutive days
and nights
An idea born in Switzerland Follow us on :www.solarimpulse.com

THE PILOTS
Never before has one family
had such an impact on the
world of exploration as
Auguste, Jacques and Bertrand
Piccard : the exploration of the
stratosphere, the conquest of
the ocean depths and the first
Round-the-World balloon flight.
TRADITION OF
SCIENTIFIC
EXPLORATION
Auguste Piccard
The pressurized capsule, and the first
ascent into the stratosphere in 1931,
reaching heights of 16,000 meters. First
man to witness the curvature of the
Earth with his own eyes, this physicist
paved the way for modern aviation.
Jacques Piccard
The bathyscaphe, and the deepest
dive ever to the bottom of the Mariana
Trench. Inventor of the first passenger
submarine. A worthy successor to
Captain Nemo, pioneer of scientific
ecology, committed to the protection
of oceans and lakes.
Bertrand Piccard
First ever non-stop flight around
the world in a balloon, longest flight
in both distance and duration in the
history of aviation. An explorer with a
human-oriented vision who promotes
the pioneering spirit and innovation
in everyday life.
For over a century, this Swiss family,
driven by a deep concern for humanity
and the need to preserve the planet,
has been striving to push back the
boundaries of what is known and
possible.

THE PILOTS
André Borschberg
An engineer by education and a
graduate of Massachusetts Institute
of Technology, André Borschberg
has solid experience in creating and
managing companies, as well as in
flying. His passion for aviation and
his interest in innovative solutions
have led him to manage the project
and head the technical team.
Bertrand Piccard
Born into a dynasty of pioneers and scientists, Bertrand
Piccard, a medical doctor, explorer and lecturer, achieved
the first ever non-stop Round-the-World balloon flight.
Initiator of Solar Impulse, he brought together the partners
to fund this project. Linking science with adventure to
promote clean technologies, he develops the project’s
philosophy and outlines its symbolic and political reach.
Two men, both pioneers,
innovators and pilots, are the
driving force behind Solar
Impulse : Bertrand Piccard
with his avant-gardist vision
and André Borschberg with
his entrepreneurial and
managerial experience.
DUAL
CONTROL

THEAIRPLANE
THE POWER OF INNOVATION
the first airplane with perpetual
endurance able to fly day and night
without any fuel.

THE AIRPLANE
A REVOLUTIONARY
PROTOTYPE
Weight
of a family car
2,300 kg (5,070 lbs)
Unpressurized and
unheated cockpit
for a solo pilot
Maximum power
4 engines of 13.5 kw
(17.4 hp)
Maximum indicated
air speed
of 90 km/h (49 kts)
Maximum cruising
altitude
of 8,500 m (27,000 ft)
Average power over 24 h
of a small motorcycle
17,248 photovoltaic
solar cells
only 135 microns thick,
the width of a hair
Wingspan
of a B-747 Jumbo Jet
72 m (236 ft)

THE AIRPLANE
2010
Solar night flight
swiss flights
Achieving the
first ever solar-
powered day
and night flight.
2011
European flights
Under the
patronage of the
European Union,
Solar Impulse
completed its
first international
flight to Brussels.
Special guest at
Paris-le Bourget
International Air
Show, the world’s
most famous
aeronautical
gathering.
2012
Destination
Morocco
First inter-
continental
flight across the
Mediterranean,
2,500 km
(1,553 miles),
supporting
the visionary
program of the
King of Morocco
to build the
world’s largest
solar-thermal
power-plant.
2014
SI2 test flights
First successful
test flights of the
Solar Impulse 2
Round-the-World
airplane.
First to fly day and
night on solar energy
without fuel
16 FAI World
Records in aviation
2013
Across America
A coast-to-coast
flight across
America : 5,650 km
(3,510 miles) from
San Francisco
to New York
City. Bertrand
Piccard and André
Borschberg were
invited to speak
to the Economic
and Social
Council at the
United Nations.
Overcoming
numerous
challenges
along the way
demonstrated the
reliability of the
technology and
showed the team’s
resourcefulness.
Important training
for the Round-the-
World Flight.
MILESTONES
2015
The longest
solo flight in
an airplane
Having left
Abu Dhabi in
March, Solar
Impulse flew
20’000 km in 8
stages to Hawaii,
completing about
half of the round-
the-world flight
and the longest
solo duration ever
in an airplane:
5 consecutive
days and 5 nights.
2016:
Flight around
the world...
to be continued

THE AIRPLANE
Solar Impulse brings together
an entire family of companies
and individuals who share the
project’s pioneering spirit,
guarantee its feasibility and
help spread its message.
A SHARED
MINDSET
Support of prestigious personalities
all committed to energy and
environmental problems and
enthusiastic promoters of this
inspiring challenge.
Committee of patrons
Joseph Ackermann
Buzz Aldrin
Yann Arthus-Bertrand
Sir Richard Branson
James Cameron
Paulo Coelho
Peter Diamandis
Jean-Louis Étienne
Al Gore
Nicolas Hulot
Erik R. Lindbergh
SAS le Prince Albert II de Monaco
Hubert Reeves
Robert Swan
Jean Verne
Don Walsh
Richard Wiese
Elie Wiesel
“A weapon […] to show
the need to power our
world on clean energy. ”
Sir Richard Branson
“A great way to
attract attention
to the issue of
solar energy. ”
James Cameron
“A giant step forward sending a strong
message to people around the world. ”
Ban Ki-Moon
Among them :
Solvay
Omega
Schindler
ABB
Google
Swiss Confederation
Altran
Bayer
Swiss Re Corporate Solutions
MoetHennessy
Swisscom
Nestlé Research
Masdar
Principauté de Monaco
Semper
Clarins
Victorinox
Air Liquide
Dassault Systemes
Mc Kinsey & Company
EPFL (Swiss Federal Institute
of Technology)
Some 80
partners and
100 consultants
help make
the adventure
possible. They
provide financing
and expert advice,
and have joined
forces to
dream up new
technological
solutions.

THEADVENTURE
PIONEERING FOR PROGRESS
AND SUSTAINABILITY
an exploration into the future,
demonstrating how clean technologies
and renewable energies can achieve
the impossible.

THE ADVENTURE
THE ROUTE
Flights lasting 4 or 5 days
for the Pacific and Atlantic
crossings, in a 3.8 m3 cockpit
Approximately 36,000
kilometers/22,000 miles
Necessity to fly in
favorable weather
without too much wind, with
minimal rainfall, and with
escape routes in case of
unexpected circumstances
More than 500 flying hours
in an airplane with no polluting
emissions
An epic in 12 stages
from March to August 2015
A support team of 60
Pilots
take turns to fly
successive legs
Continuous
transmission of data
between meteorologists,
mathematicians, air traffic
controllers and planning
engineers to select a track
that takes account of all
constraining parameters
An eastbound route in
the northern hemisphere
United Arab Emirates –
Arabian Sea – India –
Myanmar – China – Pacific
Ocean – United States of
America – Atlantic Ocean –
Southern Europe or
North Africa and back
to the point of departure

THE ADVENTURE
In permanent contact
via satellite with the
airplane, the Mission
Control Center
(MCC) is the pilot’s
“guardian angel ”.
In search of the most suitable
patterns for the Round-the-
World route, several thousand
flights have been simulated since
2005, taking account of varying
meteorological conditions.
The Principality of Monaco alongside
the Prince Albert II Foundation hosts
the mission control center. When
flights are in progress, the flight
parameters are re-calculated twice
a day, taking into consideration the
prevailing weather situation and
amount of sunshine. Flight altitudes
and track are optimized to ensure
enough on-board stored energy to
fly through the night.
Mathematicians
calculate the flight parameters,
taking into account meteorological
data, amount of sunshine and air
traffic restrictions.
MISSION
CONTROL
CENTER
Twenty specialists anticipate every
possible scenario and transmit
information enabling the pilot to
follow the optimum flight plan and
complete his mission successfully.
Capcom
is responsible
for direct voice
communications
with the pilot.
Engineers
draw up the flight
plan and monitor
the aircraft’s
technical data.
Air Traffic
Controllers
coordinate the
flight trajectory
with regional
control centres.
Flight Director
manages the team,
and together with
the pilot, takes
the main strategic
decisions.
Meteorologists
Meteorologists
analyze the weather
forecasts to find
a suitable window
for the flight, as
well as a favourable
routing.

THE ADVENTURE
Configuration and structure
Mechanical and aeronautical
engineers, physicists, specialists in
structures, aerodynamics, and design
and computation tools, all well familiar
with composite material technology,
joined forces to finalize the structure
of the solar airplane.
Different nationalities, different
professions, different skills,
but all of them share the vision
of clean technologies making
the world a better place.
THE TEAM
Energy and propulsion
The electrical engineers took on
the challenge of achieving maximum
efficiency for the lowest possible
weight, and ensured optimal energy
use by managing, processing, storing
and regulating the energy chain
from the solar cells to the propellers,
and developing the engines and
high-performance batteries.
Production workshop
In this high-tech, futuristic project,
empiricism cannot work. Each
component of the solar airplane has
to pass several tests to be certified as
“ fit to fly “. A small highly-skilled team
presides over all these essential tests.
Project coordination
These engineers have mastered
several disciplines, including the latest
construction techniques, aerodynamics,
thermodynamics, project management,
systems engineering and numerical
simulation.
Flight testing
A test pilot joins
the engineers
for aircraft
testing, first on
the ground and
then in flight. in
order to certify
the prototype
according to
the civil aviation
requirements and
prepare it for the
flight missions.
Logistic &
ground crew
For each stage
of the Round-
the-World flight,
this team is busy
organizing the
conveyance of
equipment and
staff members
to the various
airports. For each
flight leg, they
are responsible
for preparing
the aircraft and
the pilot, handling
the aircraft
on the ground,
and ensuring
operational
efficiency and the
safety of takeoffs
and landings.
Take-off team
The communication, press and
multimedia cells allow the public to
participate in this challenge through the
world’s media and the social networks.
The finance directorate and secretariat
provide the necessary support to allow
the adventure to take off.

THE PILOTS
LET’S RUN THE WORLD
WITH CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES
« What we can
achieve in the
air, anyone
can do on the
ground in their
everyday lives.
Let’s replace old
polluting devices
with modern clean
technologies.
Sustainable
growth will
only come from
products that
can save energy
and protect the
environment. It
is possible today
to bridge ecology
and economy. »
Bertrand Piccard
« Imagine energy
reserves actually
increasing during
flight ! To achieve
this ambition,
we really had
to surpass
ourselves, to find
synergy between
all the innovators,
prove what can
be achieved,
and explore
all possible
strategies, from
the design work
to the mission.
With an airplane,
you can’t cheat.
Either it flies or it
doesn’t. »
André Borschberg
DEFYING THE IMPOSSIBLE
TO LAY DOWN A MARKER
FOR THE FUTURE
EXPLORERS
FOR A
SUSTAINABLE
FUTURE
Flying around the world aboard
their silent airplane, Solar Impulse’s
founders and pilots are making
history with clean energy. Their
adventure proves that change is
possible. The clean technologies
in their solar plane offer hope and
innovative solutions for tackling
the challenges of our century.
Bertrand Piccard and André
Borschberg believe that a cleaner
world is possible thanks to political
courage and pioneering spirit. From
inspiration to execution, they combined
their skills and set off down the risky
pathway of all explorers. Pushing
back the boundaries of knowledge,
transcending common assumptions,
and attempting the impossible.
In this way, they want to raise people’s
awareness about the changes needed
for better use of energy resources and
greater respect for the environment.
Their bold project aims to pave the
way for the future, inspire present
generations, and encourage opinion
leaders to commit to a sustainable
world.

A monitoring system
constantly checks the
functioning of the autopilot
and detects any anomaly
or exceeding of safe limits.
PILOTING
AND
SAFETY
The 3.8 m3
(134.2 cubic ft) cockpit
volume provides enough
space on board for oxygen
supplies, food and survival
equipment, whilst also
meeting the ergonomic
requirements for flights
lasting several days.
A multi-purpose seat
functions both as
reclining berth and toilet.
A parachute and a life-raft
are packed into the
seat-back. When fully
reclined, it allows
the pilot to perform
physical exercises.
In the absence of
any heating,
the cockpit and the pilot
are protected against the
cold outside (-40 degrees)
by high-density thermal
insulation.
Self-hypnosis
and meditation
techniques allow the
pilot to maintain his
powers of concentration
and vigilance.
A flight simulator
developed specifically for
Solar Impulse gives the
pilots the opportunity
to train for long duration
missions and practice
the delicate handling
their aircraft requires.
Live satellite connection
to the ground ;
transmission of hundreds
of data to the mission
room by telemetry, as well
as voice, pictures and
films to allow the public to
be part of the adventure.
THE PILOTS
A man-machine interface
provides the pilot with
a sensory alert if the
bank angle goes beyond
the 5° limit.
Intelligent nylon fiber
used in pilot’s clothing
to stabilize the body
temperature.
Oxygen mask
when flying above 3,600 m
(12,000 ft).

THE ZERO FUEL AIRPLANE
What if these clean
technologies emerged
from start-ups to
revolutionize
our industries?
WHAT IF OUR WORLD WORKED LIKE
THIS AIRBORNE SMART GRID ?
What if the efficiency
of Solar Impulse’s
engines – with hardly
any losses – could be
applied more generally
across the board?
What if more
efficient devices were
systematically used in
our elevators and our
cars, as well as better
performing insulation
foams for our houses?
What if producing
energy in the exact
same place where it is
consumed became the
norm in our daily lives?
IF THIS HOPE TOOK WING IN OUR
SOCIETY, POLLUTING EMISSIONS
WOULD BE CUT BY HALF.
A FLYING
REVOLUTION
More than an airplane, Solar Impulse is
a concentration of clean technologies
– a genuine flying laboratory – and
illustrates that solutions exist today
to meet the major challenges facing
our society.
Its design and construction called upon
the most advanced technologies and
have stimulated scientific research in
the fields of materials and lightweight
structures, as well as energy storage
and efficiency.
Solar Impulse accomplished what
many deemed impossible only a few
years ago: a flight of five days and
five nights with zero fuel, propelled
solely by the energy of the sun.
This ground-breaking demonstration
highlights the enormous potential
of modern technologies to utilize
clean energy. The same energy-
efficient solutions could already
be used in our daily lives.

Isolation foam with very
thin pores inside the cockpit
to insulate from extreme
temperatures during flight.
Airframe
made of composite
materials (carbon fiber and
honeycomb sandwich).
Upper wing surface
covered by a skin consisting
of encapsulated solar cells
and the lower wing surface
by a high-strength, flexible
skin.
Energy stored in lithium polymer batteries,
whose energy density is optimized to 260 wh/kg. Batteries
insulated by high-density foam and mounted in the four
engine nacelles, with a system to control charging
thresholds and temperature. Their total mass amounts
to 633 kg (1,395 lbs.), or just over a quarter of the aircraft’s
all-up weight.
4 brushless, sensorless
motors with exceptional
energy efficiency
each generating 13.5 kw
(17.4 hp), fitted with a
reduction gear limiting
the rotation speed of
a 4 m diameter (13 ft),
two-bladed propeller to
525 rev / min. The entire
system is 94 % efficient, a
record rate, yielding a 6 %
energy loss versus 70 % in
normal thermal motors !
140 carbon-fiber ribs
spaced at 50 cm (20 in.)
intervals give the wing its
aerodynamic cross-section,
and also maintain its rigidity.
17,248 monocrystalline
silicon cells
each 135 microns thick,
providing the best
compromise between
lightness, flexibility
and efficiency (23 %).
An ultra-lightweight and
incredibly strong fuselage,
thanks to a revolutionary
carbon-fibre manufac-
turing process in which
only the areas subject to
high loads are reinforced.
This innovation has
reduced the weight of some
carbon material layers by
75 %, yielding a significant
reduction in the weight of
each component.
FLYING
LABORATORY
THE ZERO FUEL AIRPLANE

Solar Impulse Exhibition (ENG)

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