Sunrise & Solar Impulse Team in the Abu Dhabi Desert (Video)
“What better way to demonstrate the importance of the pioneering, innovative spirit than by achieving ‘impossible’ things with renewable energy and highlighting new solutions for environmental problems?” asks the Solar Impulse 2 (Si2) team.
The Si2 team isn’t just preparing for the world’s first flight around the entire globe using only the power of the sun. It is also checking out the sunrise on the Abu Dhabi desert and exploring one of the largest concentrated solar power plants in the world, which can provide electricity for up to 20,000 homes.
Solar Impulse #Insiders in Abu Dhabi, Bruno and Marie, visit one of the World’s Biggest Concentrated Power Solar Plants in operation, owned by a subsidiary of Masdar. #ADSW2015
What does it take for the pilots of Si2 to persevere and remain vigilant during the long flights in the unheated and unpressurized cockpit?
Focus & Vigilance Techniques
Self-hypnosis and meditation techniques allow the pilots to maintain their powers of concentration and vigilance, according to Solar Impulse.
Diet & Medicine
Science-based personalized nutrition has been developed by Nestlé Health Science to meet the need of 2.4 kilograms (5.2 pounds) of food, 2.5 litres (84.5 ounces) of water, and 1 litre (33.8 ounces) of sports drink per day during the long legs of the #RTW solar flight. Physicians and specialists of high-altitude medicine provide medical advice prior and during flights.
Real-Time Flight Monitoring
In contact with the Mission Control Center (MCC) in Payerne, the pilots receives support and flight indications.
Continuous transmission of hundreds of technical parameters via satellite data-link to the MCC. All possible eventualities are simulated by a multidisciplinary team to find the right combination of weather patterns, and pave the way for the solar airplane to enter controlled airspace and prepare for landings at international airports.
Photo: 18th Test Flight of Solar Impulse by Anna Pizzolante, Rezo.ch, via Solar Impulse
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