Dr. Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg held a lecture on Solar Impulse
“Around the world in a solar air plane” sounds like an unachievable objective, unless current technological limits are overcome.
Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg presented the Solar Impulse project to a selected crowd of people working in high level positions in private industry (Solar technique) and R&D. The 70 participants heard about the planning and development of the first solar powered prototype plane, HB-SIA, and its goal to start the test flights in 2009.
In a society that is dependent on fossil fuels, Solar Impulse is a paradox, almost a provocation. The project calls the latest technologies; engineers have developed an aircraft that is totally new in terms of aerodynamics, structure, building methods, form of propulsion and area of flight.
The two scientists, adventurer and pioneers understood in a fascinating way to grab the audience’s attention and to convincingly impart what the project is about.
“The challenge of the 21st century is to combine human creativity and pioneering spirit to develop the quality of life to which present and future generations are entitled”
Betrand Piccard
After the lecture, an enthusiastic question and answer round came up. The audience had various questions about the project, the team and its leaders. The discussions on and about the Solar Impulse continued on that followed cocktail reception.
The Solar Impulse team took the chance to get in touch with the invited guests, to build up relationships and meet potential partners who are willing to share the pioneering spirit in order to save our planet’s energy resources for future generations.
Online Gallery, click here
Links:
Biography Bertrand Piccard in English
Biography Bertrand Piccard in Chinese
Biography André Borschberg in English
Biography André Borschberg in Chinese
Brochure in Chinese
Brochure in English
Program&Time
5.45pm to 7pm
lecture given by Mr Bertrand Piccard and Mr André Borschberg
7pm to 8pm
cocktail reception
Date
Wednesday, 19th of November 2008
Location
swissnex Shanghai, 319 Xianxia Road, Far East International Plaza, Rm 2210, Building A,
Shanghai 200051 - map (to the Consulate General of Switzerland, swissnex Shanghai is on the same floor)
swissnex Shanghai partner: 
