Sights Set on Trip Around the World in HB-SIA Solar-Powered Jet
Andrew Robichaud — July 3, 2009 — Autos
References: independent & swipelife
The man who flew around the world in a hot air balloon has set his sights on a much more daunting task: Flying around the world in a solar powered plane (the HB-SIA to be exact).
Bertrand Piccard started the company Solar Impulse with his partner Andre Borschberg and it appears as though the HB-SIA dream is about to come true.
It is as large as a jumbo jet with the weight of a standard car. It runs on four 10 horsepower electric engines that are powered by the sun. It is expected to fly at an altitude of 8500 km at a speed of 70 km/hr (around the world should take no time at all…yeah, right).
Preliminary flight test should begin later this year.
Bertrand Piccard started the company Solar Impulse with his partner Andre Borschberg and it appears as though the HB-SIA dream is about to come true.
It is as large as a jumbo jet with the weight of a standard car. It runs on four 10 horsepower electric engines that are powered by the sun. It is expected to fly at an altitude of 8500 km at a speed of 70 km/hr (around the world should take no time at all…yeah, right).
Preliminary flight test should begin later this year.
Trend Themes
1. Solar-powered Transportation - The development of solar-powered planes like the HB-SIA presents disruptive innovation opportunities in the transportation industry.
2. Renewable Energy Innovation - The use of solar energy to power planes opens up disruptive innovation opportunities in the renewable energy sector.
3. Efficiency in Air Travel - The concept of zero-fuel planes highlights disruptive innovation opportunities to increase the efficiency of air travel.
Industry Implications
1. Aviation - The aviation industry can explore disruptive innovation opportunities by embracing the development of solar-powered planes.
2. Renewable Energy - The renewable energy industry can capitalize on disruptive innovation opportunities by furthering research and development in solar-powered transportation.
3. Transportation - The transportation industry can benefit from disruptive innovation opportunities by adopting and promoting sustainable and zero-fuel modes of travel like the HB-SIA solar-powered plane.
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