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Production of Solar Impulse main structures

    Development of new materials and new construction methods for Solar Impulse as well as manufacturing of main structures.

    Decision is now producing the main structures for the Solar Impulse project, such as: wing spar, fuselage, cockpit, tail structure, landing gear and more.

    The chances of succeeding at the first attempt to build a solar airplane capable of flying around the world were judged to be slim, so a more rudimentary prototype, HB-SIA, was first constructed.

    Lessons learned from this prototype are incorporated in the second airplane, to be registered as HB-SIB, construction of which was started in 2011. Its more spacious cockpit will enable the pilot to fully recline during flights lasting from 4 to 6 days; it will have an increased payload; its electrical circuitry will be isolated to enable flights in rain; and system redundancy will improve reliability.

    Whereas the prototype uses existing technologies, Solar Impulse HB-SIB requires the development of new materials and new construction methods. Solvay has invented electrolytes that allow the energy density of the batteries to be increased; Bayer MaterialScience is allowing the project to make use of its nanotechnologies; and Décision is using carbon fibers that are lighter in weight than any previously seen.

    Flight testing is planned for spring 2014, and the round-the-world flight for between April and July 2015.
    The building of such ultra-light structures could be applied in the field of rowing for example.

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