Author Topic: SolarImpulse  (Read 10588 times)

Offline Jean Loup

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Re: SolarImpulse
« Reply #15 on: May 07, 2010, 08:10:44 PM »
I received this in my inbox; (after seeing BP's Gulf of México disaster on satellite TV, expect the unexpected: an Exxon Valdez every four days!)

 |:)\ Bertrand Piccard & André Borschberg latest news - 3rd Flight  |:)\

"As supporters and friends of the Solar Impulse project, we always give priority to keeping you informed."

"The 3rd test flight of the Solar Impulse HB-SIA is due to take place tomorrow, on Saturday, May 8, 2010, early in the morning, at the Payerne airbase (Switzerland). Weather forecasts are currently favourable. The take-off is foreseen at around 07.15 (local time) for a flight lasting three hours, mostly above the Lake of Neuchatel."

"This will be the first time the prototype will be flying with its permanent foam encased cockpit. For the first two flights, the HB-SIA flew with a "crash cage" as a protection for the pilot in the case of any accident."

"Note: the direction of Flight Test Operations of Solar Impulse should decide to fly or not the HB-SIA with the highest flexibility, according to technical such as weather criteria. We strive to keep you informed as completely and as quickly as possible. As in any experimental project, it is not impossible that the initial announcement of a flight could be reversed thereafter. Before moving to Payerne, thank you for checking your e-mail box and our website."

"The overall aim of the upcoming test flight program is to find out the HB-SIA’s flight characteristics. In line with the mission centre’s instructions, test pilot Markus Scherdel is going to successively test several flight phases, at different altitudes and different speeds, enabling the engineers to gain a detailed insight into the prototype’s performance. This will then be used to define the design goals of our second aircraft."

"In the future, we will be announcing to you each new test flight - a privilege accorded to Solar Impulse supporters. If you want to share this information with acquaintances and friends, just ask them to register on the Supporters Program's website (www.solarimpulse.com/supporters_program). You will find all information and pictures from our next flights missions on our website www.solarimpulse.com"

"This information on the next test flight is top priority news. We are pleased to pass it on to you first of all."
Bertrand Piccard & André Borschberg

 |:)\ |:)\ |:)\ Blue skyes and favorable winds!  |:)\ |:)\ |:)\
« Last Edit: May 07, 2010, 08:19:20 PM by YanLú »

Offline Jean Loup

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Re: SolarImpulse - UPDATE- JUNE 30, 2010
« Reply #16 on: June 30, 2010, 10:14:44 PM »
 ::type:: SOLAR IMPULSE – SUPPORTERS PROGRAM – INFORMATION NR 21 – JUNE 30, 2010 ::type::

The weather forecast of a few days ago has been confirmed. The Solar Impulse HB-SIA will be attempting its first night flight in under 24 hours’ time. |:)\ |:)\ |:)\

At around 06.00h (GMT + 2) in the morning, the Solar Impulse HB-SIA will be towed onto the runway where the final preparations will be made. The prototype should take off at around 08.00 (GMT + 2). It will then climb, during the whole day, to 8,500 metres. During this climb, the airplane will store as much energy as possible in its batteries. Once the sun’s rays are less intense, the HB-SIA will commence a descent to 1,500 metres. It will then fly, with the energy stored in its batteries, until the next sunrise. The big question will be whether the pilot will be able to save enough energy to be able to stay airborne through the entire night. ::thinking::

FOLLOW THE FLIGHTS ON INTERNET! ::bow::
Join us to experience live the attempts to fly through the night on solar energy on our special page, which will be on line for the occasion: www.solarimpulse.com  ::cowboy::
___________________________________  ::wave::

YouTube SolarImpulse channel ::drinking:: ::drinking:: ::drinking::
« Last Edit: June 30, 2010, 10:26:57 PM by YanLú »

Offline Jean Loup

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Re: SolarImpulse - OH, NO! Murphy strikes back...JULY 01, 2010
« Reply #17 on: July 01, 2010, 06:27:15 PM »

 ::type:: The testing of this little box of electrics (Telemetry System), as small as my mobile phone, has not gone well, I regret to report. It has a tendency to overheat, and despite it's small size, it is such a complex piece of equipment that we now have to refer back to the manufacturer for more detailed advice, and more likely, a full replacement.

This means that the Solar Impulse SIA will not become airborne today and whilst we do not yet know how long this postponement will last, it will certainly be a minimum of a few days.
Bertrand Piccard  ::thinking::


We're working on it: author Martin Reichlin

Some hours ago the first attempt of Solar Impulse for a day and night flight powered solely with solar energy had to be postponed. While our guests and the journalists said goodbye and Brian Jones most probably is having a cocktail on the beach, our engineers continue working on the telemtrie problems which popped up this morning.

Friday evening I can give you a next update. See you then.
Martin  ::sulk::

Smile: tomorow can be worst (Murphy) ::drinking:: ::drinking:: ::drinking::
« Last Edit: July 01, 2010, 06:30:24 PM by YanLú »

Offline Jean Loup

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Re: SolarImpulse - Night flight LIVE, right now! (july 7 evening)
« Reply #18 on: July 08, 2010, 01:10:10 AM »
 |:)\ SOLAR NIGHT FLIGHT ::type:: in México 20:05 h (GMT-5); now live stream of recorded videos (most in english & some en français) ::thinking:: live data, course, etc.

 |:)\ ::drinking:: ::drinking:: ::drinking::

Solar Impulse HB-SIA First Night Flight's take off


UPDATE: at 05:15h (GMT+2) over Payerne...dawn flight! They've done it! Landing will be at 08:00h (GMT+2); now with 6 hours left of batery energy.
« Last Edit: July 08, 2010, 03:35:23 AM by YanLú »

Offline Jean Loup

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Re: SolarImpulse - CHAMPAGNE and ORANGE JUICE
« Reply #19 on: July 08, 2010, 04:27:21 AM »
 |:)\ |:)\ |:)\ MACHO MACHO MAN
(from Solar Impulse blog)

06:00 GMT+2

The sun has risen here in Switzerland, and Solar Impulse is now officially the first solar-powered airplane to make it through an entire night.

As all of you following us online will have seen on Solar Impulse TV, staff and journalists did the countdown to sunset together and all cheered and clapped as we watched the live images of HB-SIA flying into the sunrise.

Bertrand Piccard is now in the control room, congratulating André Borschberg, who keeps repeating, “It’s only the beginning.”

True enough, but his broad grin betrays the fact that this is also the end of an amazing night, the end of the longest and highest flight a solar-powered airplane has ever done.

It’s an emotional high. But screw the Kleenex, I’m out for champagne and orange juice.  ::drinking:: ::drinking:: ::drinking::
« Last Edit: July 08, 2010, 04:46:42 AM by YanLú »

Offline Kilrah

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Re: SolarImpulse
« Reply #20 on: July 11, 2011, 12:59:53 PM »
And here's a little video I made of the beast returning home from a very successful Paris Air Show visit!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5isukzEq4Y

Offline Jean Loup

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Re: SolarImpulse
« Reply #21 on: July 12, 2011, 04:14:02 PM »
And here's a little video I made of the beast returning home from a very successful Paris Air Show visit!
Thanks, we can hear (well, silence can be heard) how silent a Solar plane can be!

Bertrand piloting HB·SiA for the very first time: http://www.solarimpulse.com/blog/2011/07/12/bertrand-takes-the-controls-of-hb-sia/

 ::wave:: See you!
« Last Edit: July 12, 2011, 04:19:29 PM by YanLú »

Offline Kilrah

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Re: SolarImpulse
« Reply #22 on: July 12, 2011, 04:17:50 PM »
Yes, I just saw the news they posted! Too bad, had I known I'd have at least tried to wake up way too early and go watch the flight...  ::drinking::

Offline Jean Loup

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Re: SolarImpulse
« Reply #23 on: July 12, 2011, 05:29:33 PM »
 ::banghead::
had I known I'd have at least tried to wake up way too early and go watch the flight...  ::drinking::
::rofl:: ::rofl:: ::rofl::  ::wave::