Yet, behind the silence of the large military hangars, innovative minds are at work developing what will be Solar Impulse’s second generation aircraft: the HB-SIB.

Squeezing through the sliding doors of the hangar, one can see individual aircraft parts lying here and there, scattered work stations in various corners of the loft-like space and silently efficient engineers circulating around the premises, each absorbed in their own individual tasks. On Tuesday 8th of May, however, the four teams of Solar Impulse’s Dübendorf site all came together to witness the first structural integrity test for what will become HB-SIA’s big brother.

The first of a series of tests was done on the gondola - the part which carries the motor, the batteries and supports the airplane’s propeller. In fact, every piece that is designed and built needs to be analyzed and tested for two things:

• Limit load: the force that a given part is expected to bear during flights. Each flying part of the aircraft’s structure has to be tested to its limit load.
• Ultimate load: meant to push the limits of a given part’s resistance. During the ultimate load test, 50% more weight is added to verify a given part’s reaction to extreme conditions. Such conditions, however, are never expected to occur but strictly serve as a safety margin. Ultimate load tested parts are not to be used on the aircraft, strictly acting as a test part. The airplane itself, and therefore each new part, must be certified by the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA). Ultimate load tests are the key to achieving certification for production and the eventual certification for the aircraft to fly.

To undertake the test, the gondola was hung on a metal frame and, little by little, Solar Impulse’s structural testing team added weight. The suspense in the room was great and, with each additional weight, the tension in the hangar grew exponentially. As the last weight was placed, silence reigned. Should the gondola not support the final objective of 1.3 tons, it would result in months of added work.

Seconds later, the relief and satisfaction of the on-looking engineers could be felt in their collective sigh of relief: the test was a success!

Compared to the first gondola of the HB-SIA prototype, whose main structure consists of carbon fiber tubes and connectors covered by a foamy eggshell, the new casing is an integral part of the gondola, making it more resistant to light rain and humid climates; a requisite for the tour around the world. 

With the goal of making the website easier to navigate, particularly with the added features of social media and live stream video that will be running during mission flights, the Multimedia and Web team have spent the past few months glued to their computer screens seeking the best way to organize the site with a final objectives:

• To include a timeline of Solar Impulse events.
• To provide easy access to our social media features (Facebook, Twitter and YouTube).
• To simplify the search system through keywords and a timeline of activities.
• To integrate the Blog into the main website.
• To improve the live stream platform (check-it out during flights, it almost feels like you’re in the cockpit with the pilot!).

As you can see, the Blog posts are now directly on the homepage keeping you always informed about the latest news. At the bottom-right corner of each blog post there are always three icons:

• Thumbs-up: allows you to “like” the post on Facebook.
• The arrow: allows you to bookmark or share the post.
• The speech-bubble: gives you the opportunity to share your comments directly on the site.

The timeline is one of the most important features that we have added to the website. It allows you to search information by period but it also organizes each of the website categories in chronological order. When you are looking for a specific event or information, you can simply scroll down to the bottom of the page and select the year and event that you need, or simply choose a keyword in the tag search box at the top-right of the page to find what you’re searching for. Don’t forget to click “read more” when you’re reading a text as it will immediately unveil additional information, photos and videos for you to explore!

Last but not least, in the top box of the homepage, there are two yellow buttons. The first one, “Mission 2012”, leads you to any news concerning Solar Impulse’s current activities. The second one, “Join the Challenge” allows you to explore the various supporter options to be part of Solar Impulse’s mission.

I wish you a fun and informative experience while surfing our new site and please don’t hesitate to contact us (supporters@solarimpulse.com) should you find anything that is not functioning correctly or that should be changed: we are still fine-tuning the site and are open to any comments and suggestions.

Enjoy!

When I was asked to assist the ground crew in Bertrand Piccard’s final high altitude training even if that meant rising earlier than the rooster’s crow, I had no hesitations whatsoever.

I was honored to have the opportunity to witness, with my own eyes, the entirely solar-powered prototype take-off from the military airport in Payerne and conquer the Helvetian skies.

These tests are not only essential to prepare the pilots for the strenuous conditions they are exposed to during flights, but are also necessary to trial all the multimedia technology that Solar Impulse will use during the flight to Rabat, Morocco, planned for some time this month. The tests are proving to be successful, which is good news for you as everybody will be able to follow either André or Bertrand on Twitter, Facebook or Live Steam directly from our website.

After a quick briefing at 4:30am, each one of the 8 members of the ground crew swiftly took their positions and, in silence, began to skillfully handle the aircraft. Once the cockpit was set, the batteries plugged-in, and the motor started, “Mad Max”, an endearing name given to the HB-SIA transporter crane, cautiously rolled-out the aircraft onto the runway.

It was quite an impressive sight. Imagine a ballerina-like silhouette practically eclipsed by a remarkable set of overbearing wings: a wingspan so large (63,40m) in comparison to its compact body (21,85m) that each extremity must be sustained by a member of the ground crew with a set of skids (wing handles) during rollout.

The muffled whispers of the ground crew as they freed the prototype from “Mad Max’s” solid grip were practically overshadowed by the jovial spring birds’ chirps. Maybe it was the lack of sleep or simply the extraordinary nature of the situation, but it all felt surreal: sunrise versus a full moon, the pungent odor of natural fertilizer versus the stunning rural landscape, and, in the midst of it all, a solar airplane ready to defy, once again, the prejudices of its skeptics.

As Bertrand gained his position in the cockpit and the security run-ups were satisfactorily completed, the ground crew retracted to their positions behind the aircraft. Just seconds after the propellers began stirring; the HB-SIA was thrust forward and, in less than 150m, gained the dawning skies.

Don’t forget to stay tuned as the adventure will soon begin at Solar Impulse!

You’re all probably wondering why the HB-SIA has not yet conquered Pyrenees and the Mediterranean skies.

Indeed, the entirely solar-powered airplane was expected to disregard Labor Day and work full-time on 1 May 2012. Yet, despite the prototype’s anxious wait for a chance to sail through new atmospheres, the weather has organized a strike. Nothing to panic, however: the challenge of completing the longest flight yet is still on our radar and I bet you’re all dying to know when the moment to drop everything else and glue ourselves to the computer screens will come!

Here’s some information:

• The recent bad weather has delayed Bertrand Piccard’s final high altitude training.
• After this flight, the aircraft will need to undergo a last maintenance and security checks prior to departure.
• Once the conditions satisfy the safety guidelines, Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg will alternately pilot the aircraft from Payerne (Switzerland) to Rabat (Kingdom of Morocco) with a scheduled technical stop in Madrid (Spain). The HB-SIA might even take on the invitation from the King of Morocco to fly to the construction site of what will be the world’s biggest and most innovative solar park in the world, located in Ouarzazate.

I also wanted to use this occasion to introduce myself: my name is Viktoria Dijakovic and I will be the new Editor and Blogger for the project. I always had the passion for innovation, particularly in the fields of sustainable development and environmental awareness, and it therefore seemed to be the best combination to do what I enjoy most (writing) while acting as a spokesperson for this incredible project.

As soon as the winds change and the HB-SIA is pampered for the occasion, the first people to be informed will be members of our Supporters Program. If you’re already one of them, then just sit back and relax as the adventure will keep you on your toes soon enough. However, if you’re not yet a member but wish to be in the loop, this is your chance to sign up for the free Friend status! It’s an easy way to be ahead of the news and to keep informed about exciting developments of the project (to find out more about our different options:Supporters Program).

Over the course of preparations of our respective projects, Raphaël Domjan has progressively become a friend. 

He has founded Planet Solar from nothing but his communicative enthusiasm. I admire the way in which he has been able to materialize his dream and complete the tour of the world in sometimes extremely challenging conditions. It has proven to be a success to the heights of his perseverance!

André and I are thrilled about this achievement and congratulate him and his team!

Pupils of French-speaking Switzerland, as promised last October, it’s now your turn to take part in the “Climate Pioneers” initiative! 

As from today, this project of Swisscom, Solar Impulse and myclimate is open to pupils in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. Since its launch in September 2010, the initiative has allowed 2500 schoolchildren from the German-speaking part of Switzerland to carry out 140 climate-related projects.

The Marché-Neuf School in Bienne has already taken part in this initiative and will be followed by Lausanne, Belmont-sur-Lausanne and Porrentruy. For classes also wanting to do a project aimed at protecting the climate and to receive support in developing their ideas and putting them into practice, the foundation offers introductory lessons together with a range of learning materials.

Are you a pupil or a teacher from kindergarten upwards in the French-speaking part of Switzerland? Does this project interest you? Invite myclimate free into you class by sending an email to the following address: pionniers.duclimat@myclimate.org.

Bertrand and André are proud to be the promoters of this initiative and were delighted to reveal the projects for this year 2012 at the prize-giving ceremony.