Décision SA, official supplier of the composites structures for the Solar Impulse team, and North Thin Ply Technology (NTPT), a provider of lightweight prepreg materials, have celebrated Solar Impulse 2's successful completion of the world's first round-the-world solar-powered flight.
The zero-fuel Solar Impulse 2 aircraft landed in Abu Dhabi, completing the final leg of its 40,000 km trip.
Décision, based in Ecublens, Switzerland, was responsible for the production of the main carbon fiber composite structures for both the HB-SIA prototype and the current Solar Impulse 2 aircraft, including the wing's longitudinal beams, the fuselage, vertical and horizontal stabilisers, the engine gondolas and the pilot's cockpit.
Décision and NTPT collaborated to build Solar Impulse 2's parts using NTPT's Thin Ply Technology carbon fiber prepreg. This technology enabled the production of lightweight composites structures that helped ensure the safety and reliability of the aircraft on its challenging journey around the world.
This story is reprinted from material from NTPT, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier.
