Swiss explorer unveils plan to fly non-stop around the world in a green-hydrogen-powered airplane
Bertrand Piccard, who has previously circumnavigated the planet in both a balloon and a solar-powered aircraft, aims to complete the trip in just nine days
A Swiss explorer who comes from a long line of famous adventurers has announced plans to circumnavigate the world in an aircraft powered solely by green hydrogen.
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The new project is described as a “climate action adventure aiming to restore confidence in technological solutions for the common good” and “an environmental flagship aiming to play its part in revolutionizing the aviation sector and beyond”.
“Climate Impulse represents a technological breakthrough,” says the press release announcing the project.
“Beside the production of green hydrogen from renewable energies, and its use through fuel cells to feed electric motors, the major challenge lies in maintaining liquid hydrogen at -253°C during an estimated nine days of flight. This will require revolutionary innovations in the creation of adapted thermal tanks, opening new horizons in aviation technology. The collaboration with [science company] Syensqo will enable Climate Impulse to develop these cutting-edge systems.”
Construction of the Climate Impulse — which will have two liquid-hydrogen tanks — will take two years, under the direction of Dinelli, who is also a pilot and “composite engineer”, even though a team supported by aircraft manufacturer Airbus and consultant Capgemini has already spent two years on research, development and design.
“Syensqo’s composite materials, films and additives will be crucial to the manufacturing of the entire structure of the hydrogen aircraft, its fuselage to the wings and hydrogen tanks. It will provide lightness, alongside mechanical and thermal properties,” the press release explains.
“When it comes to green hydrogen, the company’s high-performance materials (for Proton Exchange Membranes and binders for electrodes of the fuel cell) will be key enablers to confer exceptionally high-power density and efficiency, also allowing more compact design of the plane.”
The private project is being sponsored by French bank BNP Paribas, the charitable arms of Engie and Schneider Electric, oilfield services company SLB (formerly Schlumberger), Deutsche Telekom and others.
The record-breaking Piccard family — and Star Trek
On that flight, the Piccards (along with their pet turtle, Fleur de Lys) broke the world altitude record — before crash-landing into some elm trees, breaking several of Jean Felix’s bones.
In 1974, 11 years after her husband died, at the age of 79, Jeanette became the world’s first female ordained Episcopalian priest.
Jeanette and Jean Felix’s son Don (and his co-pilot Ed Yost) became the first people to cross the English Channel in a balloon, in 1963. Don later started his own balloon company and is credited with making hot air balloons safer through several innovations.