Piccard unveils Climate Impulse for hydrogen-powered circumnavigation

The major challenge lies in maintaining liquid hydrogen at -253 degrees C during an estimated nine days of flight. This will require revolutionary innovations in the creation of adapted thermal tanks.

After achieving the first circumnavigations of the globe in a balloon and more recently in a solar aircraft, Swiss explorer Bertrand Piccard has unveiled his new emission-free project: Climate Impulse - a green hydrogen-powered aircraft to fly non-stop around the world in 2028.

Science company Syensqo is to be the main partner of this technological, environmental and human adventure, in which Piccard hopes the limits of innovation will be pushed back to enable the development of the aircraft, built in France by engineer and navigator Raphaël Dinelli.

After two years of research, development and design supported by Airbus, Daher, Capgemini and with the participation of Ariane Group, the construction of the aircraft has begun and will last two years. Following another two years of testing, this unique aircraft will attempt to fly non-stop all around the Equator with pilots Piccard and Dinelli.

Climate Impulse aims to be an environmental flagship playing its part in revolutionizing the aviation sector and beyond, showing the way to global sustainability through innovative solutions in areas traditionally considered difficult to decarbonize.

Beside the production of green hydrogen from renewable energies, and its use through fuel cells to feed electric motors, the major challenge lies in maintaining liquid hydrogen at -253 degrees C during an estimated nine days of flight. This will require revolutionary innovations in the creation of adapted thermal tanks, opening new horizons in aviation technology. The collaboration with Syensqo will enable Climate Impulse to develop these cutting-edge systems.