Swiss Explorer Bertrand Piccard's Next Eco-Adventure: Hydrogen-Powered Aviation
Key Ideas
- Bertrand Piccard, known for his solar-powered aircraft journey, plans to circumnavigate the globe again with a hydrogen-powered aircraft called Climate Impulse.
- The Climate Impulse project aims to showcase the potential of liquid hydrogen as a sustainable aviation fuel, flying at 10,000 feet without stops for days.
- Piccard is also exploring a hydrogen-powered airship project in France but remains focused on developing the Climate Impulse aircraft.
Swiss explorer Bertrand Piccard, renowned for his global circumnavigation on the solar-powered Solar Impulse aircraft, is embarking on a new eco-adventure in the aviation world. Piccard, along with co-pilot André Borschberg, is working on a hydrogen-powered aircraft project named 'Climate Impulse'. This experimental venture seeks to demonstrate the viability of liquid hydrogen as a sustainable aviation fuel. Unlike their solar-powered journey, the Climate Impulse aircraft is projected to travel around the world at an altitude of 10,000 feet without the need for any stops, completing the journey in a matter of days. Additionally, Piccard has been in discussions regarding a separate hydrogen-powered airship project in France for a global circumnavigation, although his involvement in this project is yet to be confirmed. Despite this, Piccard's primary focus remains on advancing the development of the Climate Impulse aircraft. Recently, Piccard shared details of the project in an interview with AeroTime during the EBACE executive aviation show in Geneva. This innovative initiative by Piccard underscores his commitment to exploring alternative technologies that promote sustainability in aviation, marking a significant step towards a greener future in flight.