SCIENCE A technological challenge and a historic achievement for aviation aircraft powered by solar energy, which do never stayed over twenty-four hours the air …
The two revolutionary Solar Impulse plane took off from China in the night from Saturday to Sunday and headed to Hawaii, to the most dangerous stage of its world tour, during which the Swiss pilot André Borschberg will take six days and six nights in a row only to commands.
Solar Impulse to the “moment of truth” in the Pacific Ocean crossing
Powered by solar energy alone, the aircraft took off at 2:40 (7:40 p.m. Saturday, French time) from the eastern Chinese city of Nanjing, where he was confined since April 21. Illuminated by spotlights at the front of its wings, the huge plane lunged on the track before disappearing in a hazy sky, the sound of her four propellers barely audible. The ground crew applauded her off.
“My wife was by my side for this important launch. She is with me in the cockpit, “tweeted the aviator.
The flight of 8,500 km to Hawaii should last about 130 hours, according to organizers. “We have a good weather window” for this crossing, assured André Borschberg before getting into the cockpit. His departure had been postponed several times due to adverse weather, including last Tuesday because of cloud cover over Nanking and the Sea of Japan.
A technological challenge and an aeronautical feat Historic
Never Solar Impulse has 2 flew over an ocean nor remained in the air more than 24 hours: that’s how this Pacific crossing is a technological challenge and historic aviation achievement.
At the age of 62, André Borschberg will have to keep a distance of 8,500 kilometers. A performance that will intersect only brief sleep twenty minutes. His seat, he can not leave, is equipped with a toilet system.
VIDEO. How the Solar Impulse pilot will live in less than 4m3?
Every day, the driver will face the Himalayan altitudes around 28,000 feet (8,400 meters) and 55 degree temperature variations in the unpressurized cabin seater Solar Impulse 2. “How will I live in this tiny environment by climbing Everest every day, passing from winter to summer every day due to temperature changes in me resting only 20 minutes every time? “he was asked in a recent interview with AFP.
” In the worst case, we have a parachute and a life raft ”
For this journey, no coffee provided: “It helps a few hours, but then it is negative,” he said. In case of serious failure in flight, the Swiss will parachute into the ocean, hundreds of kilometers from help. No vessel shall indeed to track the device, which will fly at a maximum speed of 90 km / h at low altitude and 140 km / h in the upper layers.
But the hypothesis his own death leaves marble this engineer by training, “I do not see this as risky, because we have worked long on various issues,” he confided. “If we lose an engine, you can fly with the other three, for example.” “In the worst case, we have a parachute, a life raft and knows how to use. Obviously, we hope we will not have to do it, “said the driver.
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