Thanks to a Swiss communications company the entire world will be able to follow all the latest developments of the one of the worlds coolest aerospace projects since Orville and Wilbur Wright. It is not the launch of a space shuttle or another celebrity in space or news of a new stealth technology long range bomber but the flight of a solar airplane. 

Swisscom will become the official National telecom partner of Solar Impulse and develop a special communications solution for Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg’s completely solar-powered aircraft. Among other things, Swisscom will be responsible for ensuring that the project team remains in constant contact with the pilot. And thanks to innovative mobile services, the Swiss population will share in the excitement when the plane flies around the world from 2012.

According to the company Swisscom will also put its technological expertise to the test in the area of convergence products and new media. In its role as official telecommunications partner, Swisscom will provide innovative mobile services so that all interested parties can share the excitement and experience the Solar Impulse venture up close from the very beginning.

Swisscom will broadcast a live press conference on 26 June 2009 at www.bluewin.ch which will feature the unveiling of the new solar airplane and in 2010, when the plane makes its first fuel-free daytime-night-time flight over Switzerland, Swisscom will also be at hand.

Swisscom has operated a systematic environmental management system for over ten years and is also committed to the promotion of renewable sources of energy and energy efficiency. The vision of Solar Impulse’s project is ideally suited to Swisscom’s current commitments in the area of sustainability.

 Here is a video produced by Solar Impulse.

 

Swisscom is working on developing a communications solution for Solar Impulse that meets the highest standards: Despite the minimal weight and power consumption requirements, this solution will need to keep the pilot and ground station in touch at all times while also ensuring the exchange of data and live photos. The weight of the equipment cannot exceed 5 kilogrammes and its power requirements must not exceed 50 watts. Further, the exterior cameras and transmitters must be capable of withstanding extreme temperature fluctuations between +80°C and -40°C.

 Thanks to Swisscom’s technology, satellite communications between the plane and the Solar Impulse control centre can be ensured. This is crucially important when it comes to guiding the plane to its destination, particularly during an around-the-world flight which crosses the major oceans, explains André Borschberg, CEO of Solar Impulse.

We are proud to have contributed our expertise to ensure the success of Solar Impulse’s endeavour. We fully support the vision of Solar Impulse and this partnership symbolises our long-term commitment to the environment,” says Carsten Schloter, CEO of Swisscom.

Swisscom is the ideal partner for Solar Impulse

The project is an important symbol for Swisscom: Flying a solar-powered airplane day and night around the globe is a sign of sustainability, innovation and a visionary spirit. Swisscom, too, is committed to new ideas, technologies and sustainability. In line with this philosophy, the company built up a nationwide telecoms infrastructure and is currently investing in fibre-optic expansion, another long-term project. Swisscom just recently received national and international awards for the fresh-air method used to cool its telephone exchanges and data centres which has brought about huge cuts in the company’s power consumption