The first round-the-world solar flight seeks opportunities in China(2)

Animation of Solar Impulse 2's cabin (Photo provided to People's Daily Online)

Today's technology is tomorrow's energy

Solar Impulse 1 was the first aircraft able to fly day and night without fuel or polluting emissions, and holds 8 world records. The second generation Solar Impulse 2 will go even further. This revolutionary aircraft, made of carbon fiber, has a 72 meter wingspan (larger than that of the Boeing 747-8I) for a weight of just 2,300 Kg, equivalent to that of a car.

"This is a leading-edge project," says Borschberg. "We are trying to turn the impossible into the possible. The innovation of flying with clean solar energy is a long-term goal. If we don't start today, we will never be ready for tomorrow."

Test flights are due to take place in May, and the first round-the-world solar-powered flight is scheduled to start in March 2015 from the Gulf area. To complete the round-the-world flight, Solar Impulse 2 will have to accomplish what no other aircraft has achieved before: flying without fuel with only one pilot for 5 consecutive days and nights, crossing oceans from one continent to another.

"The plane will have virtually unlimited autonomy, and now we need to make sure the pilot is as sustainable as his aircraft. This is why the round-the-world flight will be as much a human as a technological feat," Borschberg added. "For the first solar plane, we could call it the economy seat, but for second plane, we are talking business class."

Solar Impulse is also an airborne laboratory, making way for innovative technological solutions, geared to meeting today's challenges head on. "Difficulties are everywhere in executing this project, but difficulties are also opportunities." Borschberg believes that this is the kind of vision which drives everyone to become a pioneer on a day-to-day basis.