(Image Source: Google Images)
World Leaders and Prominent Figures Recognizes the Threat
A rapidly changing climate is a threat that concerns everyone. The effects of this worldwide looming issue can already be felt on the planet’s shifting seasons, rising sea levels, and temperature increases. The quote shown on the photo below is from a very influential and powerful figure:
Climate change is no longer some far-off problem; it is happening here, it is happening now.
-- Barack Obama on Climate Change (President of the United States of America) --
If you read and understood the quote above by US President Barrack Obama, then you should know by now three vital aspects that involves climate change:
• Climate change is a real threat that concerns everyone
• Solutions must be implemented at the soonest
• Earth is not a commodity
The US and its government is not alone in realizing the problems brought about by climate change. Various world leaders, prominent figures, and industry experts have convened in France (Paris) last year to address this looming issue. The event was officially called as “The 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference” – however, it is usually shortened to COP 21 or CMP 11.
During the conference, different topics were tackled, but the common consensus boils down to limiting global warming to below 2 degree Celsius as well as the approach needed to attain this goal. Anyway, I won't be expanding too much on this topic as I have already done so on this post: Curbing Global Warming - lets help preserve the world
The purpose of this post is quite different and one that will surely pique the interest of the reader. In this post I want to highlight an around-the-world journey worthy of being written down on history books.
How familiar are you with Si2 and its ambitious goal?
(Image Source: Google Images)
At first glance, a flight around the world seems normal nowadays. However, this one is quite unique and if successful, it would be the very first to accomplish such a feat.
Anyway, let me cut to the chase and introduce you to Solar Impulse II. I'm guessing that aside from energy industry enthusiasts, many readers are probably not aware that Solar Impulse II (usually shortened to Si2) is a solar powered airplane that aims to travel around the world.
Yes folks, you read that statement right! Si2 does not need fuel to fly nor does it engines need oil to run. This futuristic aircraft will rely solely on the free power provided by the sun to accomplish its bold objective of circumnavigating the globe. Needless to say, if successful, this solar plane’s accomplishment would have a spot in the record books.
A brief background
As it name implies, Si2 is the successor of Solar Impulse – some would even say it is an improved version, to which I agree. Unlike its predecessor, that is primarily designed to stay in the air for only 36 hours, Solar Impulse II is equipped with more solar cells and better powerful motors that will enable it to fly longer and capable enough of completing a round-the-world expedition.
(Image Source: Google Images)
Bertrand Piccard (left side) | André Borschberg (right side)
The entire Solar Impulse project was initiated by Swiss-born psychiatrist and balloonist Bertrand Piccard. The project was co-founded by his ME (Mechanical Engineer) friend André Borschberg. These two founders are also the pilots of Si2 during its historic journey.
Since its conception, the project has attracted close to €180 million in investment from various organizations, individuals, and even from the Swiss government.
When compared to other aircrafts
(Image Source: Solar Impulse as reported by BBC)
With regard to physical size comparison, Si2 is slightly smaller than the largest commercially available airplane – the Airbus A380. However, it is significantly lighter because it is constructed with carbon fibre construction material. In fact, the solar plane’s weight is comparable to that of a standard mid-size automobile.
Some readers may wonder how many persons Solar Impulse II can carry. The craft’s almost 23 meter frame can only accommodate one passenger – in this case, the pilot. But of course, the plane is not designed with focus on passengers but on traveling the world using only solar energy. Surely, when the flight is successful, upcoming models will incorporate more passenger accommodation in the design.
As to where it gets its energy, a bunch of solar cells absorbs sun rays which is then converted to power – and then supplied to four electric motors equipped on Si2. The PV (photovoltaic) cells covers bulk of the wing’s top area – obviously, these solar cells should be installed to where it has maximum exposure to sun rays.
Lastly, the solar powered aircraft stands over 6 meters with a wingspan of almost 72 meters.
Details of the Historic Expedition
Let us now talk about Si2’s record-making journey around the globe. The original plan only involved a few months of travel time with twelve stops. The solar powered aircraft took off from Abu Dhabi’s Masdar airport on March 2015 and should be back on the same airport by August of the same year.
Unfortunately, unintended situations have drastically prolonged the journey. I will expand on this later, but for now let us look at what Solar Impulse II has covered so far:
(Image Source: Table is available in Wikipedia. Screenshot and edited by jikZ to clarify certain items)
As can be seen from the above photo:
- The vertical blue rectangular box (item letter B) shows that the original 12 stops have been extended to 15 (as of writing time)
- The 5-month trip has been extended to over a year (vertical green rectangle shows flights done last year - item letter C)
- The horizontal black rectangle (item letter A) highlights the longest leg of the journey. It is also holds the record for longest
- The table also shows distance covered, who piloted the flight, and other notable details
Dangers High Above
On this section, let us now tackle what unexpected barriers that Si2 encountered that prolonged its half-a-month expedition to over a year. There are actually only two causes - the first is a serious isolated incident, while the other is a phenomenon that the team has little control of.
1. Damaged Thermal Batteries
I'll start with the main culprit that caused the year-long delay of the historic expedition. During the longest leg of the journey (leg number 8 - from Nagoya to Hawaii), although the 117+ hour flight did earned a spot in the record books, the aircraft also sustained some severe overheating damage to its thermal batteries - to the extent that it cannot be fixed but have to be replaced.
Since, Solar Impulse II somewhat uses specialized components, delivering, mounting, and testing replacement materials would naturally take some time.
2. Unpredictable Weather Conditions
Let us all remember that this is the first time such voyage has been undertaken. Nobody has done this before which is why there is no baseline or standard that can be followed or that can be as solid reference. Everything has to be carefully considered to ensure the safety of Si2 and its pilot.
If there is the slightest chance that the weather will change and become unfavorable, that particular flight leg must be delayed - even cancelled if necessary. One must remember that the airplane relies on solar and the sun's rays is a critical componet to successfully arrive at the next stop.
Where is the solar plane now?
(Image Source: Google Images)
Good question! I'm happy to report that Si2 is now back to flying,has just completed flight stop 15, is currently in Seville Spain, and about to complete the last leg of its journey. The damage batteries have been replaced – and after being stranded in Hawaii for almost a year, I’m pretty sure that everyone on the team is happy that it has finally left that airport and is back to full functionality.
As mentioned earlier, the last stop of Solar Impulse II is back at Masdar airport in Abu Dhabi. If it arrives there, Si2's around the world expedition would be officially (and successfully) completed.
More than just breaking records and making history
As for this blog, we have also arrived at its last section. By now, you should have a fair amount of idea about Solar Impulse II and its ambitious voyage. However, it is important to note that there is something more than the solar plane's mission to circumnavigate the globe.
The plane alone is testament of man's ingenuity and desire to improve. Meanwhile, Si2's historic journey aims to show that man can live and do things without relying on fuel and oil. Hopefully, it would serve as a beacon of inspiration that there are cleaner and environment-friendly alternatives.
Let's end this blog with the words from the two pilots and some inspiring videos.
Words worth pondering from Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg
(Both Image Sources are from Google Images)
Some cool videos of Si2
Both videos are from YouTube. The first video is the latest flight (leg 15) of the solar-powered aircraft while the second one is the historic first leg of Si2's flight from Abu Dhabi
