Giant Whale-Shaped Solar-Powered Airship to Make the World's First Zero-Carbon, Non-Stop Trip Around the Globe

Euro Airship, a France-based aeronautical company specializing in rigid airships, has unveiled its ambitious project, Solar Airship One, set to embark on the world's first non-stop global flight powered solely by solar energy.

This initiative, slated for 2026, is poised to cover over 40,000 kilometers in a span of 20 days, tracing a path near the equator at an average altitude of 6,000 meters. Significantly, the solar airship will operate without generating noise, relying on fossil fuels, or producing CO2 emissions.

The airship, spanning 151 meters (495 feet) in length, will feature a complete upper surface adorned with solar film, totaling approximately 4,800 square meters (51,700 square feet).

Euro Airship's Partnerships

To realize this monumental feat, Euro Airship has forged partnerships with industry leaders including Capgemini, Groupe La Poste, and Orange, along with other prominent figures in the aeronautics realm such as Bertrand Piccard, Dorine Bourneton, Jean-Pierre Haigneré, and Michel Tognini.

This collaborative effort aims to showcase a new era of sustainable air transport solutions, a mission Euro Airship is dedicated to advancing.

Corinne Jouanny, Head of Portfolio and Industry Centers of Excellence at Capgemini Engineering, expressed their excitement about this endeavor, highlighting the role of Capgemini's engineering teams in driving the efficient integration of sustainable technologies.

They have been involved in various aspects of the airship's development, from the rigid structure to the construction of a digital twin of the aircraft in flight.

"The SolarAirship project demonstrates that it is possible to catalyze an ecosystem to foster the emergence of sustainable air transport solutions," Jouanny said in a press statement.

Marie-Aude Dubanchet, Deputy Managing Director of La Poste Group in charge of communications, emphasized the pride in supporting the Solar Airship One project. She pointed out the significance of having Dorine Bourneton, a postal worker and the world's first paraplegic pilot, as part of this groundbreaking venture.

The Era of Decarbonized Mobility

Elizabeth Tchoungui, Executive Director overseeing Corporate Social Responsibility for the Orange Group, commended the project's ambition and innovation in ushering in an era of decarbonized mobility.

Orange's role in the partnership involves providing a low-orbit satellite communication system to ensure seamless and secure communication between the airship and the ground. Their contributions extend to AI, data, and IoT, enabling comprehensive data collection, analysis, and correlation.

"Orange is proud to be part of the epic project, Solar Airship One; an ambitious, innovative and unifying project that ushers in the era of decarbonized mobility. This partnership is emblematic of our commitment to deploy the full potential of digital technology to support environmental transition in all sectors of activity," Tchoungui noted.