Solar Impulse is a European long-range solar powered plane project currently being undertaken at the �cole Polytechnique F�d�rale de Lausanne. The project is promoted by Bertrand Piccard, who piloted the first balloon to circle the world non-stop. This project hopes to repeat that feat using only solar power. The first aircraft, officially named HB-SIA, is a one-seater, capable of taking off under its own power, and intended to remain airborne up to 36 hours. cite web url= title = HB-SIA Mission author= Solar Impulse Project accessdate=2009-12-05 Building on the experience of this prototype, a slightly larger follow-on design (HB-SIB) is planned to make circumnavigation of the globe in 20-25 days. .