Originally published on 1Sun4All.
The Solar Impulse 2 (Si2) round-the-world attempt is not only about solar cells stretched across the wings of one of the most beautiful airplanes ever built — behind the aeronautic record lies a very powerful message Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg want to share with the world. Existing clean technologies and pioneering spirit can change the world. Future is clean, but they cannot do it without you.
With each of their great “firsts”, the explorers of the last century constantly pushed back the limits of the impossible. Today, the drive to make new discoveries must go on, with the aim of improving the quality of life on our planet. –Bertrand Piccard.
Solar Impulse tells us the Si2 pioneers have set out to achieve something that still seems impossible today: the first round-the-world solar flight, powered only by the sun, with no fuel or polluting emissions.
The aim: Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg do not plan to revolutionize the aviation industry but instead to demonstrate that the actual alternative energy sources and new technologies can achieve what some consider impossible. Solar Impulse wants to mobilize public enthusiasm in favor of technologies that will allow decreased dependence on fossil fuels, and induce positive emotions about renewable energies.
Solar Impulse also wants to encourage and inspire each and every one of us to become pioneers and explorers in our own lives, and to invent a brighter future.
Join the Movement: FutureIsClean.org #FutureIsClean
Noma leaves indelible scars on the faces of its victims and the minds of those who witness it http://t.co/mezhWpCGyM pic.twitter.com/oVC3bIYA7f
— Bertrand PICCARD (@bertrandpiccard) March 27, 2015
The Pilots: Two pioneers and innovators, both pilots, came together to drive Si2 forward: Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg. The former’s avant-gardist vision and skills as a communicator and the latter’s entrepreneurial experience complement each other ideally.
Climate change is an opportunity to bring new solutions to the fore. Vote on http://t.co/WGEHuBxQaq @solarimpulse pic.twitter.com/uTgHWDT8BC — Bertrand PICCARD (@bertrandpiccard) March 26, 2015
Bertrand Piccard’s Dream is a World Powered By Clean Energies
Bertrand Piccard: The doctor, psychiatrist, explorer, and aeronaut who made the first ever non-stop round-the-world balloon flight is its founder and chairman. With Si2, Bertrand Piccard is continuing his family’s history of adventure, from the exploration of the stratosphere (Auguste Piccard) and the ocean depths (Jacques Piccard) to his own round-the-world balloon flight.
André Borschberg: Engineer by education and graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in management science, a trained fighter pilot and professional airplane and helicopter pilot, is the CEO.
Team and Partners: The Si2 team is about 90 people, including 30 engineers, 25 technicians, and 22 mission controllers, supported financially and technologically by over a hundred partners and advisers.
Video Credit: SOLAR IMPULSE | Photo Credits: 2015- 03- 30 Solar Impulse 2 RTW 5th Flight Mandalay to Chongqing take-off Stefatou and André Borschberg, Enjoying my time in #China with new generations, with the world of tomorrow | Cartoon Credit: Martin Saive via Solar Impulse
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