Hunter and Amory Lovins make the case for energy efficiency and energy…
Point Of No Return (57 min)
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Soaring at 28,000 feet without a drop of fuel, nothing is predictable. Not the weather, not the technology. And certainly not the fate of a man, alone for five days in a fragile, first-of-its-kind aircraft with nothing but ocean below.
POINT OF NO RETURN takes viewers behind the headlines of the first solar-powered flight around the world, where two courageous pilots take turns battling nature, their own crew, and sometimes logic itself, to achieve the impossible. Not just to make history, but to inspire a revolution.
'This is a truly outstanding film that skillfully captures the emotion of two adventurer pilots and their crew as they attempt the unimaginable. The viewer is taken on their audacious journey filled with constant challenges and highs and lows, and is witness to an indomitable human spirit on display throughout. This is a very enjoyable film that I would encourage all to watch; I expect that it will be of particular interest in educational settings.' Alan J. Stolzer, Dean of the College of Aviation, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
'[An] absorbing documentary...A fascinating feat of human and scientific accomplishment.' Justin Lowe, The Hollywood Reporter
'A documentary that is as dramatic and thrilling as any cinematic space odyssey...A must-see documentary that not only inspires but also offers a powerful wake-up call to action.' Herbert Paine, Broadway World
'Filmmakers Noel Dockstader and Quinn Kanaly captured Solar Impulse through the whole project...They've created a beautiful document of a dream given form.' Bradley Gibson, Film Threat
'A compelling tale of ambition and endurance...The lesson is one of taking risks, innovating, and embracing new challenges to create a better tomorrow.' Pat Mullen, POV Magazine
'Beautifully photographed...Impressive cinematography.' Anita Katz, San Francisco Examiner
'Point of No Return offers a beacon of hope for transforming today's society into one which uses clean technology.' Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine
'Everyone, not just technology fans, green romantics and STEM graduates, will thrill to Point of No Return.' Don Wallace, Honolulu Magazine
'At the cutting edge of exploration and renewable energy.' Al Gore, Former US Vice President, Founder, The Climate Reality Project
'This very audacious courage - we need this kind of spirit to change this world.' Ban Ki Moon, Former UN Secretary-General and former South Korean Foreign Minister
'Huge step forward. It's absolutely extraordinary. It's pioneering clean energy.' Richard Branson, Founder, Virgin Group
Credits and citation support are not available for this title yet.
A MARC record for this title is not available yet.
Distributor subjects
Climate Change/Global Warming; Design; Energy; Renewable Energy; Science, Technology, Society; Sustainability; TechnologyKeywords
00:00:00.049 --> 00:00:03.132
(plane engine roaring)
00:00:23.200 --> 00:00:26.760
- To have an airplane that
could fly forever without fuel,
00:00:26.760 --> 00:00:29.607
no noise, no pollution.
00:00:29.607 --> 00:00:31.673
That was the dream from the beginning.
00:00:34.729 --> 00:00:37.127
- We can move up a little bit.
00:00:39.096 --> 00:00:41.653
Just a little bit, a little.
00:00:43.570 --> 00:00:45.730
- The airplane was
considered to be possible
00:00:45.730 --> 00:00:47.083
to be built and flown.
00:00:51.010 --> 00:00:54.193
The challenge is how to
make something like this.
00:00:59.250 --> 00:01:02.633
- It is an airplane we
designed, we dreamt about.
00:01:04.190 --> 00:01:06.363
It's a big part of me.
00:01:10.640 --> 00:01:13.270
- We're not sure that
this is the right answer
00:01:13.270 --> 00:01:15.443
to the challenge of
flying around the world.
00:01:16.970 --> 00:01:19.260
This I can tell you maybe
in five months afterwards
00:01:19.260 --> 00:01:20.914
if we were right or if we were wrong.
00:01:20.914 --> 00:01:23.520
(chains rattling)
00:01:23.520 --> 00:01:25.935
- A plane powered by solar energy,
00:01:25.935 --> 00:01:29.510
even in my comic books
with Superman, Spider Man,
00:01:29.510 --> 00:01:30.343
that wasn't in.
00:01:33.400 --> 00:01:35.810
- Everybody was saying
it's completely crazy
00:01:35.810 --> 00:01:37.110
to do something like that.
00:01:38.062 --> 00:01:40.100
Flying an airplane prototype like this
00:01:40.100 --> 00:01:41.683
five days over the ocean.
00:01:47.064 --> 00:01:49.886
(camera shutters clicking)
(crowd murmuring)
00:01:49.886 --> 00:01:52.140
- [Male Reporter] We're in
the early hours of the morning,
00:01:52.140 --> 00:01:54.050
and the Solar Impulse 2
00:01:54.050 --> 00:01:55.230
is ready to embark
00:01:55.230 --> 00:01:57.670
on its ambitious round
the world journey.
00:01:57.670 --> 00:01:59.790
- [Female Reporter] Bertrand
Piccard and Andre Borschberg
00:01:59.790 --> 00:02:02.380
will be taking turns to
fly the solar-powered plane
00:02:02.380 --> 00:02:04.600
around the world for
the very first time.
00:02:04.600 --> 00:02:08.410
Its wingspan is the
equivalent of a 747 jet.
00:02:08.410 --> 00:02:10.970
It weighs about the
same as a family car.
00:02:10.970 --> 00:02:13.680
We're told it has the
horsepower of a scooter
00:02:13.680 --> 00:02:16.765
and it flies wholly on
the power of the sun.
00:02:16.765 --> 00:02:18.398
(plane engine whistling)
00:02:18.398 --> 00:02:22.200
- 16 years I have been dreaming of that
00:02:22.200 --> 00:02:24.600
thought of flight around
the world with no fuel.
00:02:28.384 --> 00:02:30.510
There are doubts all the time.
00:02:30.510 --> 00:02:33.170
When you're doing something
that nobody has done before,
00:02:33.170 --> 00:02:34.690
the doubts are important.
00:02:34.690 --> 00:02:37.360
If you are on the straight
line with your beliefs,
00:02:37.360 --> 00:02:40.058
you'll never succeed in something new.
00:02:40.058 --> 00:02:42.780
- [Betrand] ...continue
to get the clearance.
00:02:42.780 --> 00:02:44.668
- Okay, solar generator looks good,
00:02:44.668 --> 00:02:46.626
and continue with engines then.
00:02:46.626 --> 00:02:49.928
A good flight Andre,
let's start the adventure.
00:02:49.928 --> 00:02:51.980
(plane engine roars)
00:02:51.980 --> 00:02:53.987
- [Andre] Okay, finally it's
the magic moment.
00:03:01.469 --> 00:03:03.346
- [Michael Anger]
And we have lift off.
00:03:03.346 --> 00:03:08.346
- Whoa!
00:03:08.841 --> 00:03:13.841
(speaking in foreign language)
00:03:19.184 --> 00:03:22.080
- [Male Reporter 1] It is really
phenomenal sight, but crazy
00:03:22.080 --> 00:03:25.460
to believe that it's just the
sun powering that plane here...
00:03:25.460 --> 00:03:27.410
- [Female Reporter] The dream
is to show a way forward
00:03:27.410 --> 00:03:30.300
without fossil fuels and
spread a message about the need
00:03:30.300 --> 00:03:31.580
to fight climate change.
00:03:31.580 --> 00:03:33.190
- [Male Reporter 2] The pilots
will be broadcasting live
00:03:33.190 --> 00:03:34.990
from the cockpit, speaking to schools,
00:03:34.990 --> 00:03:36.330
politicians and the media.
00:03:36.330 --> 00:03:39.153
- [Male Reporter 3] Now it's
got a huge journey ahead of it.
00:03:41.390 --> 00:03:44.300
- [Andre] We will make about 11 stops,
00:03:44.300 --> 00:03:46.423
there's only one seat, so we take turns.
00:03:47.527 --> 00:03:51.040
Five days, five nights over the oceans
00:03:51.040 --> 00:03:52.140
alone in this cockpit.
00:03:56.150 --> 00:04:00.566
- Five months now, the
plane starting this way,
00:04:00.566 --> 00:04:05.566
if everything goes well, it
comes back this way in July.
00:04:07.060 --> 00:04:09.610
It is so much more difficult to use
00:04:09.610 --> 00:04:11.630
these clean technologies in the air
00:04:11.630 --> 00:04:13.260
than to use them on the ground.
00:04:13.260 --> 00:04:14.900
So if it works in the air,
00:04:14.900 --> 00:04:17.203
I really hope people will
understand that they can replace
00:04:17.203 --> 00:04:21.783
all these old polluting old
stuff by new clean technologies.
00:04:23.160 --> 00:04:25.270
What we do in the air
we can do on the ground,
00:04:25.270 --> 00:04:27.140
and this is our message.
00:04:27.140 --> 00:04:31.643
- Thank you very much,
currently altitude 5300 feet.
00:04:35.656 --> 00:04:38.890
- Technologies are for the
benefit of all of humanity,
00:04:38.890 --> 00:04:41.490
I mean the way we use
them, we destroy a planet,
00:04:41.490 --> 00:04:42.703
is completely stupid.
00:04:46.070 --> 00:04:49.120
- This aircraft is so
very light, so fragile.
00:04:49.120 --> 00:04:53.695
Trying to find the places where
it can fly is not so easy.
00:04:53.695 --> 00:04:56.150
When you have a downdraft or an updraft,
00:04:56.150 --> 00:04:58.003
this aircraft can break in two.
00:04:58.950 --> 00:05:01.898
Rain, humidity and
turbulence, forget it.
00:05:01.898 --> 00:05:05.901
Only sun and quiet
weather and tail winds.
00:05:05.901 --> 00:05:07.723
(radio chatter)
00:05:07.723 --> 00:05:11.260
- We are excited, but there's
a lot of fear as well.
00:05:12.200 --> 00:05:14.790
I think the overall around the
world flight you can compare
00:05:14.790 --> 00:05:16.760
to an Apollo mission.
00:05:16.760 --> 00:05:19.540
If you do something wrong,
just one thing,
00:05:19.540 --> 00:05:23.736
they could die and you carry
that for the rest of your life.
00:05:23.736 --> 00:05:28.736
(plane engine whistles)
(footsteps echoing)
00:05:33.484 --> 00:05:37.401
(speaking in foreign language)
00:05:39.152 --> 00:05:40.102
- [Betrand] When I was a child,
00:05:40.102 --> 00:05:45.102
I was afraid to climb in
the tree, fear is there.
00:05:46.680 --> 00:05:49.110
Either you have no fear at all,
00:05:49.110 --> 00:05:52.064
which means you're completely
crazy, or you have some fear,
00:05:52.064 --> 00:05:54.743
which means that you
are not a daredevil.
00:05:56.010 --> 00:05:59.573
It might not go well, but the
only way to know is to try.
00:06:01.175 --> 00:06:04.092
(soft instrumental music)
00:06:16.921 --> 00:06:20.150
My father and my
grandfather were the first
00:06:20.150 --> 00:06:21.850
to the bottom of the ocean,
00:06:21.850 --> 00:06:24.353
showing there was life
in the deepest trenches.
00:06:26.968 --> 00:06:30.560
The first in the stratosphere,
to see with his own eyes
00:06:30.560 --> 00:06:31.910
the curvature of the earth.
00:06:35.000 --> 00:06:38.313
When you do the first, you
establish the first benchmark.
00:06:39.250 --> 00:06:42.467
And from there, a lot of
new things can come out.
00:06:43.419 --> 00:06:46.502
(plane engine whistling)
00:06:49.547 --> 00:06:52.128
(radio chatter)
00:06:52.128 --> 00:06:55.378
(system monitors beeping)
00:07:08.070 --> 00:07:10.300
- You said the aircraft is unstable,
00:07:10.300 --> 00:07:12.578
and I don't see any turbulence at all.
00:07:12.578 --> 00:07:14.515
(speaking foreign language)
00:07:14.515 --> 00:07:16.410
- There he is, Andre, hello.
00:07:16.410 --> 00:07:19.470
Betrand started to say
the aircraft is unstable
00:07:19.470 --> 00:07:21.500
and the autopilot cannot be connected
00:07:21.500 --> 00:07:22.936
and he said it's really hard to control.
00:07:29.559 --> 00:07:31.560
- Okay, we are looking
for a bailout area
00:07:31.560 --> 00:07:34.360
in the area he's flying for the moment.
00:07:34.360 --> 00:07:36.134
- If it's a pilot problem, yeah,
00:07:36.134 --> 00:07:38.550
pilot induced oscillation,
00:07:38.550 --> 00:07:42.145
I think we should take time
and do everything very calm.
00:07:42.145 --> 00:07:45.478
(crowd murmuring)
00:07:47.941 --> 00:07:50.294
- [Betrand] Now it's completely stable.
00:07:50.294 --> 00:07:51.127
- Okay.
00:07:51.127 --> 00:07:53.270
- It's completely fine because
now I can keep the heading
00:07:53.270 --> 00:07:54.380
without the autopilot.
00:07:54.380 --> 00:07:56.010
- Okay Betrand then the
next thing, I'd like you
00:07:56.010 --> 00:07:57.560
to extend the outriggers,
00:07:57.560 --> 00:07:59.143
and then slowly go down.
00:08:14.334 --> 00:08:15.500
(camera shutters clicking)
00:08:16.496 --> 00:08:18.829
- It was a fantastic flight.
00:08:22.576 --> 00:08:25.220
- Always challenges with
an experimental airplane,
00:08:25.220 --> 00:08:27.143
you always discover, you always learn.
00:08:33.690 --> 00:08:35.878
- Yes, well it's going to be
really impressive, I tell you,
00:08:35.878 --> 00:08:38.563
to cross the Pacific,
to cross the Atlantic.
00:08:40.890 --> 00:08:42.320
- It's not done yet.
- You can imagine that.
00:08:42.320 --> 00:08:45.993
- It's not done yet.
00:08:53.639 --> 00:08:56.610
- [Robert] We had a little delamination
00:08:56.610 --> 00:08:58.320
on one of the solar panels.
00:08:58.320 --> 00:09:00.300
- No, don't push too much.
00:09:00.300 --> 00:09:01.270
- No, it's perfect.
00:09:02.830 --> 00:09:05.450
- This white spot can overheat
00:09:05.450 --> 00:09:07.760
one of these individual cells.
00:09:07.760 --> 00:09:10.790
If one cell gets damaged,
00:09:10.790 --> 00:09:13.740
like with the light bulbs
in a Christmas tree,
00:09:13.740 --> 00:09:16.943
you break down all the others as well.
00:09:22.870 --> 00:09:25.290
- I just knew from the
beginning that it must be
00:09:25.290 --> 00:09:26.753
a superlight aircraft.
00:09:28.710 --> 00:09:31.450
- 13 years ago, the thrill, wow!
00:09:31.450 --> 00:09:33.443
Is it possible, is it not possible?
00:09:35.031 --> 00:09:39.793
And it was an up and down,
fighting, success, failures.
00:09:44.530 --> 00:09:46.940
- We had to design the whole plane
00:09:46.940 --> 00:09:49.120
very much on the edge of everything,
00:09:49.120 --> 00:09:52.783
in terms of weight we were
able to put in, energy reserve.
00:09:53.651 --> 00:09:57.330
The whole size of the
airplane is driven by
00:09:57.330 --> 00:09:59.923
the energy we need to cross the Pacific.
00:10:05.452 --> 00:10:07.620
(water splashing)
00:10:07.620 --> 00:10:09.170
- We never flew over the ocean.
00:10:10.980 --> 00:10:13.607
The last measure we can
take is to bail out.
00:10:13.607 --> 00:10:15.550
But of course you want to bail out
00:10:15.550 --> 00:10:17.200
when you really have to bail out.
00:10:18.420 --> 00:10:22.945
If you do this mission, you
have to be on the positive side
00:10:22.945 --> 00:10:24.483
or you will never do it.
00:10:27.772 --> 00:10:30.855
(plane engine whistling)
00:10:32.580 --> 00:10:36.050
I have always have been
a little bit rebellious
00:10:36.050 --> 00:10:38.230
against authority.
00:10:38.230 --> 00:10:40.843
I left home when I was quite young.
00:10:42.960 --> 00:10:46.320
What I learned as a fighter
pilot which was useful,
00:10:46.320 --> 00:10:49.500
I think you are trained to
better appreciate the risk
00:10:49.500 --> 00:10:51.920
and come up with the right decision.
00:10:51.920 --> 00:10:55.670
(radio chatter)
00:11:00.088 --> 00:11:02.838
(upbeat marching band music)
00:11:14.380 --> 00:11:17.080
- On the ground, the aircraft
has a lot of weak point.
00:11:18.010 --> 00:11:21.370
It's made of fabric,
it's made of carbon,
00:11:21.370 --> 00:11:24.411
and you can break it with your finger.
00:11:33.610 --> 00:11:36.600
- Now Betrand, I really would
like to have more details
00:11:36.600 --> 00:11:38.695
on this phase before
landing in Ahmedabad,
00:11:38.695 --> 00:11:40.660
about what happened there,
00:11:40.660 --> 00:11:44.393
because we had really some
stress situation on the ground.
00:11:44.393 --> 00:11:47.540
- I made a mistake in flying
the plane in an unstable way,
00:11:47.540 --> 00:11:50.580
and I really scared everybody.
00:11:50.580 --> 00:11:54.010
So I was very embarrassed.
00:11:54.010 --> 00:11:57.216
- Not being prepared good
enough, pilot condition must be
00:11:57.216 --> 00:11:59.523
better than what it was.
00:12:11.067 --> 00:12:15.540
- This decision was extremely
difficult for everybody,
00:12:15.540 --> 00:12:18.020
especially when there
are a lot of emotions
00:12:19.126 --> 00:12:21.620
and so much at stake.
00:12:21.620 --> 00:12:24.035
If I would do the Pacific,
I knew that I had
00:12:24.035 --> 00:12:25.923
to prepare myself very well.
00:12:26.878 --> 00:12:30.295
(birds chirpping)
00:12:32.370 --> 00:12:34.493
When I will be in this
cockpit there will be moments
00:12:34.493 --> 00:12:36.063
that will be too intense.
00:12:38.240 --> 00:12:42.130
This airplane is like a leaf
pushed around by the wind.
00:12:42.130 --> 00:12:45.688
You have to make nature as a
partner and not as an enemy.
00:12:45.688 --> 00:12:47.640
That's the best attitude in life,
00:12:47.640 --> 00:12:50.823
in some ways I discovered
when flying this airplane.
00:12:54.760 --> 00:12:57.900
- With Solar Impulse, we're
only at the first phase.
00:12:57.900 --> 00:13:00.670
Our goal is not to transport passengers,
00:13:00.670 --> 00:13:02.723
our goal is to transport a message.
00:13:03.625 --> 00:13:06.875
(uplifting instrumental music)
00:13:12.356 --> 00:13:16.640
With Andre, we've done six
legs from Abu Dhabi to here.
00:13:16.640 --> 00:13:18.903
Now it's time to go to the next level.
00:13:19.750 --> 00:13:23.043
And it's the ocean, this is
why Solar Impulse is built.
00:13:27.020 --> 00:13:30.360
- It's like going to the moon,
everything is under control
00:13:30.360 --> 00:13:32.313
but you still have to go to the moon.
00:13:36.515 --> 00:13:39.160
- The challenge with the solar energy
00:13:39.160 --> 00:13:40.723
is to fly through the night.
00:13:41.650 --> 00:13:44.783
The energy of the airplane
is the critical factor.
00:13:45.910 --> 00:13:48.790
During the day we climb
very high altitudes,
00:13:48.790 --> 00:13:52.300
so we collect the energy
directly from the sun.
00:13:52.300 --> 00:13:54.960
And we use this altitude at
the beginning of the night
00:13:54.960 --> 00:13:58.543
to slowly fly down, this
saves the batteries.
00:13:59.430 --> 00:14:03.490
Minimum battery charge, if
everything goes on plan,
00:14:03.490 --> 00:14:07.790
is not more than 10% in
the morning at sunrise.
00:14:07.790 --> 00:14:11.410
It's about an hour, so there
is not much margin in that.
00:14:12.586 --> 00:14:14.493
- Everything okay there?
00:14:16.250 --> 00:14:18.053
Okay, let's move forward.
00:14:19.420 --> 00:14:23.580
- We are removing each gram
that we can in this airplane
00:14:23.580 --> 00:14:26.543
because each gram of
course is consuming energy.
00:14:30.920 --> 00:14:33.490
- I did the most weight saving
because I lost four kilos
00:14:33.490 --> 00:14:35.160
during the last four months there,
00:14:35.160 --> 00:14:36.963
so I did my contribution.
00:14:38.610 --> 00:14:43.610
- We were never able to prove
that the airplane can fly
00:14:43.650 --> 00:14:45.980
through the night so far,
00:14:45.980 --> 00:14:48.700
and reducing weight is reducing risk.
00:14:48.700 --> 00:14:51.517
- The lighter you are
the further you get.
00:14:51.517 --> 00:14:54.208
- Who knows, I mean, maybe this
is the minute which counts.
00:14:54.208 --> 00:14:55.357
- Yeah, exactly.
00:14:58.365 --> 00:15:01.950
- The Pacific is the
largest ocean on the earth.
00:15:01.950 --> 00:15:04.460
It is something that is always moving,
00:15:04.460 --> 00:15:09.033
developing, dying, depressions,
typhoons, it's like a soup.
00:15:10.010 --> 00:15:13.670
- The most difficult part of
this Pacific flight to Hawaii
00:15:13.670 --> 00:15:16.210
is the crossing of
a classical cold front
00:15:16.210 --> 00:15:20.170
that acts like a wall, cloudiness
that gives precipitation.
00:15:20.170 --> 00:15:22.800
So, all things that you have to avoid.
00:15:22.800 --> 00:15:26.550
Flying to Hawaii takes
five, maybe six days.
00:15:26.550 --> 00:15:30.750
When you cross that front you
have to be sure about details.
00:15:30.750 --> 00:15:34.383
And five days ahead,
it's difficult to say.
00:15:35.340 --> 00:15:38.350
- With breaking news, take-off tonight.
00:15:38.350 --> 00:15:40.530
Starting to be exciting.
00:15:40.530 --> 00:15:41.750
- Finally.
00:15:41.750 --> 00:15:43.190
- What's the flight time?
00:15:43.190 --> 00:15:45.800
- Flight time is six days and...
00:15:46.760 --> 00:15:48.527
- Six? (whistles)
00:15:48.527 --> 00:15:51.950
- Having a seventh day,
it's not acceptable for me.
00:15:51.950 --> 00:15:54.980
If it's five and a
half, okay, on the edge.
00:15:54.980 --> 00:15:57.700
But if it's six and
something, it's...
00:15:57.700 --> 00:15:59.780
- [Andre] I mean if I
look at everything,
00:15:59.780 --> 00:16:01.297
now I'm the impression we are pushing
00:16:01.297 --> 00:16:03.080
a little bit too far there.
00:16:03.080 --> 00:16:05.350
- We are at seven hours from departure.
00:16:05.350 --> 00:16:07.060
- It's tight there, it's tight,
00:16:07.060 --> 00:16:08.950
and uncertainty due to energy.
00:16:08.950 --> 00:16:10.820
- We have too many issues,
that's the problem.
00:16:10.820 --> 00:16:12.220
We have too many issues now.
00:16:14.850 --> 00:16:15.853
- Game over.
00:16:21.170 --> 00:16:23.950
- The guys are fighting each
other because they are nervous,
00:16:23.950 --> 00:16:25.830
they're under tension, they're tired.
00:16:25.830 --> 00:16:28.270
- If it's the window of the
year we just have to do it.
00:16:28.270 --> 00:16:31.050
- You're not going to
do it for tomorrow.
00:16:31.050 --> 00:16:33.020
- Sorry on that, but I think,
00:16:33.020 --> 00:16:35.711
we'll not have a solution
for tomorrow evening.
00:16:35.711 --> 00:16:38.300
- He's tired, he's tired,
they are tired.
00:16:38.300 --> 00:16:42.003
- Don't forget that the
distance from Nanjing to Hawaii
00:16:42.003 --> 00:16:46.510
is almost two times Europe,
and then you're asking us,
00:16:46.510 --> 00:16:49.470
"What's the clouds gonna
be like in Poland,
00:16:49.470 --> 00:16:53.351
and in Greece, and in
Ukraine," in three hours.
00:16:53.351 --> 00:16:54.821
- With two people.
(laughing)
00:16:54.821 --> 00:16:58.100
- I mean, I like my job.
Oh, I like my job (laughing).
00:17:00.630 --> 00:17:01.463
- But?
00:17:01.463 --> 00:17:02.380
- But it was hell.
00:17:02.380 --> 00:17:04.490
- I would prefer that we take some rest
00:17:04.490 --> 00:17:08.313
and tomorrow morning we'll
start to fight for the next one.
00:17:09.882 --> 00:17:13.248
(tarp rustling)
00:17:13.248 --> 00:17:16.910
- [Male Reporter] The Solar Impulse
has been grounded in China
00:17:16.910 --> 00:17:19.745
due to bad weather brewing
over the Pacific Ocean.
00:17:22.577 --> 00:17:27.577
- It's not only that we have
the risk of losing the pilot,
00:17:27.644 --> 00:17:32.200
but it will also change
the life of every engineer,
00:17:32.200 --> 00:17:37.200
which Andre maybe doesn't
realize all the time.
00:17:37.722 --> 00:17:39.100
- How much, how much?
00:17:39.100 --> 00:17:41.874
The closer we get,
the more intense it is.
00:17:41.874 --> 00:17:45.903
The first time I will fall
asleep will be over the ocean.
00:17:47.731 --> 00:17:50.970
We all know that falling
asleep when you are stressed
00:17:50.970 --> 00:17:51.803
is not easy.
00:17:53.454 --> 00:17:55.160
There will be moments of actions,
00:17:55.160 --> 00:17:57.610
there will be moment of reflection.
00:17:57.610 --> 00:17:59.813
I hope not moment of regrets.
00:18:02.090 --> 00:18:04.723
This inner voyage is really
what I am looking for.
00:18:10.090 --> 00:18:12.613
- Is this what you were dreaming of?
00:18:13.810 --> 00:18:17.490
We will have a nice
corridor behind this system
00:18:17.490 --> 00:18:22.490
onto the ocean, three, even
four days flying in sunshine.
00:18:22.829 --> 00:18:25.412
(group cheering)
00:18:33.980 --> 00:18:35.730
- For the time being, looking good.
00:18:41.460 --> 00:18:44.370
- He's doing this really
with a lot of his heart
00:18:44.370 --> 00:18:48.263
and all his being, I don't
think anything else matters.
00:19:01.210 --> 00:19:02.940
- [Male Reporter] The
Solar Impulse 2 plane
00:19:02.940 --> 00:19:05.260
is currently tackling
the most ambitious leg
00:19:05.260 --> 00:19:06.560
of its round-the-world journey.
00:19:06.560 --> 00:19:08.340
- [Female Reporter] Once
midway across the Pacific,
00:19:08.340 --> 00:19:11.480
there's no turning back,
with no airports to land at
00:19:11.480 --> 00:19:13.986
and no boat capable of
trailing the plane fast enough.
00:19:13.986 --> 00:19:16.660
- [Male Reporter] Even to
get one man across an ocean
00:19:16.660 --> 00:19:19.710
will push him and his
machine to the limits.
00:19:19.710 --> 00:19:22.793
(plane engine whistling)
00:19:36.812 --> 00:19:39.097
- There's bad weather coming in
00:19:39.097 --> 00:19:40.360
with thunderstorms,
00:19:40.360 --> 00:19:43.233
and afterwards it's turning northwest.
00:19:43.233 --> 00:19:46.270
- We will reach the point of no return
00:19:46.270 --> 00:19:48.250
in approximately 10 hours,
00:19:48.250 --> 00:19:50.603
so we have to have a
decision by that point.
00:19:51.930 --> 00:19:54.551
- The good side is that
the plane flies well,
00:19:54.551 --> 00:19:56.870
and the engine is in a good
shape and probably we can make
00:19:56.870 --> 00:19:59.840
it through the first
night with enough energy.
00:19:59.840 --> 00:20:01.950
On the other hand, we don't know
00:20:01.950 --> 00:20:04.163
how to cross the bad
weather front in five days.
00:20:04.163 --> 00:20:08.080
(radio chatter)
00:20:50.490 --> 00:20:54.230
- For me it is clearly not right
to continue, it's no way.
00:20:54.230 --> 00:20:56.430
The earlier we announce this diversion,
00:20:56.430 --> 00:20:59.650
the higher the rate of
success I would say
00:20:59.650 --> 00:21:02.530
to save the airplane and
the pilot and the mission.
00:21:02.530 --> 00:21:06.260
- We have more risk of
losing the airplane in Japan
00:21:06.260 --> 00:21:09.200
than if we try to reach Hawaii.
00:21:09.200 --> 00:21:12.290
I don't see how we can get a permission
00:21:12.290 --> 00:21:14.769
to inflate the mobile hangar in Japan.
00:21:14.769 --> 00:21:17.298
- [Markus] The airplane is
not made to cross the front
00:21:17.298 --> 00:21:20.220
and fly in cumulus clouds.
00:21:20.220 --> 00:21:24.083
- Until when can we still
say we try to cross?
00:21:24.083 --> 00:21:29.283
- Now. Either we divert
or we take a big risk.
00:21:42.839 --> 00:21:45.490
- [Female Reporter] The green
energy plane Solar Impulse 2
00:21:45.490 --> 00:21:47.920
stopped moving, towards
its make-or-break
00:21:47.920 --> 00:21:49.610
next destination, Hawaii.
00:21:49.610 --> 00:21:51.330
- [Male Reporter] There's no
telling how long they're gonna
00:21:51.330 --> 00:21:53.923
spend in Japan waiting on
the weather conditions.
00:22:13.140 --> 00:22:15.890
(wind whistling)
00:22:21.727 --> 00:22:24.500
- We need to be able to get
00:22:24.500 --> 00:22:26.428
the mobile hangar assembly tonight.
00:22:26.428 --> 00:22:28.194
If we did not succeed,
00:22:28.194 --> 00:22:31.040
the risk is that we lose
the airplane completely
00:22:31.040 --> 00:22:32.240
and the risk is extremely high.
00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:34.453
It's not a 10%, chance it's 90.
00:22:40.570 --> 00:22:42.610
- But what we need now is our hanger
00:22:42.610 --> 00:22:45.043
to prevent it from sun, wind and rain.
00:22:46.770 --> 00:22:50.630
- We need to put full
speed on it, maximum speed,
00:22:50.630 --> 00:22:52.043
maximum efforts.
00:23:03.923 --> 00:23:06.170
- The aircraft was not
just a little bit wet,
00:23:06.170 --> 00:23:08.664
it was completely wet
with water dripping
00:23:08.664 --> 00:23:11.423
from every single part of this aircraft.
00:23:12.619 --> 00:23:15.100
- Well, we want to avoid
a short circuit because
00:23:15.100 --> 00:23:17.600
that would blow very
probably the main fuse
00:23:17.600 --> 00:23:18.835
inside the battery.
00:23:18.835 --> 00:23:21.170
(water splashing)
00:23:21.170 --> 00:23:23.033
Oh, I didn't see that.
00:23:26.467 --> 00:23:29.934
- I hope it will be okay, but
I don't know at this stage.
00:23:29.934 --> 00:23:32.669
Maybe in three months
we are still in Japan.
00:23:32.669 --> 00:23:34.940
And then it would be a disaster
00:23:34.940 --> 00:23:36.540
for our flight around the world.
00:23:40.455 --> 00:23:43.538
(tools whirring)
00:23:47.070 --> 00:23:50.883
- Andre would take all the risks.
00:23:50.883 --> 00:23:51.716
- Yes.
00:23:52.600 --> 00:23:55.246
- We from the engineering,
we want to reduce as much
00:23:55.246 --> 00:23:59.893
as we can to make his life
safe, but he is a risky guy.
00:24:01.176 --> 00:24:03.759
(crowd murmuring)
00:24:07.395 --> 00:24:11.363
(radio chatter)
00:24:11.363 --> 00:24:15.280
(speaking foreign language)
00:24:17.881 --> 00:24:19.017
- There is no high pressure there,
00:24:19.017 --> 00:24:21.793
there's absolutely no way to go through.
00:24:24.760 --> 00:24:26.390
- To follow something for three days
00:24:26.390 --> 00:24:30.714
and 10 minutes before
the take-off, crazy.
00:24:30.714 --> 00:24:31.547
- It was a bit--
00:24:31.547 --> 00:24:34.674
- There's really a problem
somewhere in our way of working.
00:24:35.507 --> 00:24:38.317
- We are checking if we
should proceed or not.
00:24:39.738 --> 00:24:41.010
- How are you feeling?
00:24:41.010 --> 00:24:41.863
- Detached.
00:24:43.090 --> 00:24:44.190
That's the best way.
00:24:46.797 --> 00:24:49.880
(snoring)
00:24:53.750 --> 00:24:56.040
- I think we really need it now
00:24:56.040 --> 00:24:59.233
because the spirits are
sort of not very well.
00:24:59.233 --> 00:25:02.080
And if we now take the plane back,
00:25:02.080 --> 00:25:05.737
assemble the mobile hangar
again and stay here for longer,
00:25:05.737 --> 00:25:08.888
it's gonna be quite bad for
the general mood of the team,
00:25:08.888 --> 00:25:10.170
I think.
00:25:10.170 --> 00:25:12.230
So that's why I believe
we're gonna take off,
00:25:12.230 --> 00:25:13.990
it's gonna happen.
00:25:13.990 --> 00:25:16.010
- This afternoon I was confident,
00:25:16.010 --> 00:25:17.714
now I feel more like gambling.
00:25:17.714 --> 00:25:21.266
And if he has to bail out here,
00:25:21.266 --> 00:25:24.220
okay the water is maybe already warmer,
00:25:24.220 --> 00:25:27.913
but I don't want to gamble
with a pilot in the ocean.
00:25:29.171 --> 00:25:33.088
(speaking in foreign language)
00:25:34.100 --> 00:25:39.100
- I'm not confident to taking
the risk of your life.
00:25:41.070 --> 00:25:46.070
It's very difficult to go
against the inner feeling.
00:25:46.740 --> 00:25:49.450
- I feel that you went
over the tipping point
00:25:49.450 --> 00:25:52.333
in terms of feeling and
so it must be right.
00:25:52.333 --> 00:25:56.240
- But it's a terrible situation,
and I imagine for you,
00:25:56.240 --> 00:25:58.723
I'm so sorry for you, Andre.
00:26:00.950 --> 00:26:04.663
You cannot imagine--
- Don't be sorry.
00:26:06.410 --> 00:26:08.810
So confirmed, flight is canceled.
00:26:08.810 --> 00:26:12.383
We go back to the tents
unfortunately, but that's life.
00:26:16.010 --> 00:26:17.427
A lot of hurdles.
00:26:20.900 --> 00:26:21.900
Big hurdles.
00:26:24.830 --> 00:26:26.750
- We tried everything we could,
00:26:26.750 --> 00:26:31.750
and we just failed the last centimeter.
00:26:38.410 --> 00:26:42.290
- Always trying to make it work,
00:26:42.290 --> 00:26:46.363
and then you see that all that
work is kind of for nothing.
00:26:47.650 --> 00:26:49.730
- I have to admit that the last weeks,
00:26:49.730 --> 00:26:52.793
I was losing faith.
00:26:55.903 --> 00:26:59.070
(gentle ambient music)
00:27:06.770 --> 00:27:10.340
- The monsoon is really
picking up here in Japan,
00:27:10.340 --> 00:27:13.870
which means rain, there's also
the risk of typhoon.
00:27:13.870 --> 00:27:17.190
So, what we are facing
if we cannot leave
00:27:17.190 --> 00:27:20.835
over the next few days to
Hawaii is being hit by typhoon,
00:27:20.835 --> 00:27:25.180
lose the mobile hangar, and
of course lose the airplane.
00:27:25.180 --> 00:27:27.660
- We will always have an unknown thing.
00:27:27.660 --> 00:27:30.547
I think this is the nature of
a forecast, it's a forecast.
00:27:30.547 --> 00:27:32.143
It's not the truth.
00:27:33.250 --> 00:27:35.330
- Either we try to cross
an ocean or not.
00:27:35.330 --> 00:27:40.330
- It was so embarrassing to
have Andre ready to take off,
00:27:41.020 --> 00:27:45.320
all the press watching, we had
to cancel at the last minute.
00:27:45.320 --> 00:27:47.220
And this time we want to avoid this.
00:27:47.220 --> 00:27:49.990
So we're not telling anybody.
00:27:49.990 --> 00:27:52.060
And once we're in the air, if it works,
00:27:52.060 --> 00:27:55.044
then we say, "Hello,
coucou, here we are.
00:27:55.044 --> 00:27:57.582
"This time it's going well."
00:27:57.582 --> 00:28:01.499
(speaking in foreign language)
00:28:14.400 --> 00:28:17.493
I'm committed, completely
committed to this flight.
00:28:19.818 --> 00:28:23.853
The point of no return is
already passed long time ago.
00:28:31.490 --> 00:28:35.380
- Friday we were both
super depressed in Tokyo.
00:28:35.380 --> 00:28:36.990
Saying yeah, this might be the end,
00:28:37.831 --> 00:28:39.060
not sure we're
gonna still make it.
00:28:39.060 --> 00:28:41.240
But if we make it to Hawaii,
00:28:41.240 --> 00:28:44.103
at least we've done the hard thing.
00:28:47.933 --> 00:28:49.490
(swelling instrumental music)
00:28:49.490 --> 00:28:50.990
- All right, okay.
00:28:52.140 --> 00:28:54.683
- We are just getting ready and we try
00:28:54.683 --> 00:28:58.050
to take off at 3:00 am, sharp.
00:28:58.050 --> 00:29:00.863
- This time it seems
better, so we try again.
00:29:02.251 --> 00:29:05.084
(swelling instrumental music)
00:29:28.882 --> 00:29:31.965
(plane engine whistling)
00:29:55.993 --> 00:29:59.243
(system monitors beeping)
00:30:07.820 --> 00:30:11.000
- Okay copy, there was
a short MAS failure.
00:30:11.000 --> 00:30:13.120
- If we do not find out why it happened
00:30:13.120 --> 00:30:17.638
or what triggered it, we should
not continue to the Pacific.
00:30:17.638 --> 00:30:22.638
- Biggest concern, the problem is
the MAS, that's the killer one.
00:30:23.995 --> 00:30:28.120
- The MAS is the system
controlling the autopilot,
00:30:28.120 --> 00:30:30.712
which is giving false
alarms and waking up
00:30:30.712 --> 00:30:33.890
Andre each time he wants to sleep.
00:30:42.122 --> 00:30:44.620
- So you want to continue to Hawaii?
00:30:44.620 --> 00:30:45.453
- Yeah.
00:30:45.453 --> 00:30:47.430
- Knowing that the
monitoring is not working?
00:30:47.430 --> 00:30:48.263
- Yeah.
00:30:49.261 --> 00:30:51.457
- And you still...
00:30:51.457 --> 00:30:54.043
- It makes life a little
bit more complicated.
00:30:55.136 --> 00:30:59.650
We'll need the monitoring
from the ground.
00:30:59.650 --> 00:31:00.950
- The risk is really high.
00:31:02.120 --> 00:31:04.160
The risk is really, really high.
00:31:04.160 --> 00:31:06.777
We have 55 minutes before
the point of no return.
00:31:06.777 --> 00:31:08.950
And we don't know what is causing this,
00:31:08.950 --> 00:31:12.933
and we have no idea, I
mean, it could degrade.
00:31:17.690 --> 00:31:20.730
- Except we still don't know
the cause of the problem.
00:31:20.730 --> 00:31:21.563
- No.
00:31:22.590 --> 00:31:24.320
- If we go back to Nagoya,
00:31:24.320 --> 00:31:27.007
I'm sure we would find another window,
00:31:27.007 --> 00:31:30.559
the season is not over.
00:31:30.559 --> 00:31:33.517
- If we go back to Japan, I think
00:31:33.517 --> 00:31:38.517
it's the end of the project.
00:31:40.193 --> 00:31:44.110
(speaking in foreign language)
00:32:29.113 --> 00:32:31.650
Now we just need to know if Andre
00:32:31.650 --> 00:32:32.833
wants to continue or not.
00:32:34.420 --> 00:32:36.970
- What do you think it will
take for him to decide?
00:32:39.746 --> 00:32:44.746
- Guts. Not only as a
pilot, but for the project.
00:32:58.510 --> 00:33:00.270
- We have an aircraft
which is not nominal.
00:33:00.270 --> 00:33:02.745
- Things will break
during this journey,
00:33:02.745 --> 00:33:07.477
and if we start the journey already
with one redundancy down,
00:33:07.477 --> 00:33:09.250
that's not a good starting basis.
00:33:09.250 --> 00:33:11.310
I would recommend to go back.
00:33:11.310 --> 00:33:14.766
- Going back to Nagoya
in the season of typhoons
00:33:14.766 --> 00:33:17.670
with the possibility of
destroying the airplane
00:33:17.670 --> 00:33:21.660
on the ground, in terms
of overall project,
00:33:21.660 --> 00:33:24.870
it's more risky to come
back then to continue.
00:33:33.930 --> 00:33:36.559
- If you decide to continue, as a friend
00:33:36.559 --> 00:33:41.559
you have all my support,
but as an engineer
00:33:41.720 --> 00:33:45.058
I would say we have to go
back as we have the choice.
00:33:45.058 --> 00:33:49.920
- A lot of people can
be a little bit afraid,
00:33:49.920 --> 00:33:54.250
scared by the unknown
in which we're jumping.
00:33:54.250 --> 00:33:58.305
I was very often in my life
in these type of situations.
00:33:58.305 --> 00:34:00.523
And I tell you, it's worth it.
00:34:01.970 --> 00:34:06.970
But the decision we take goes
far beyond the flight itself.
00:34:07.690 --> 00:34:12.328
We have now the possibility
to do what nobody has done.
00:34:12.328 --> 00:34:14.960
When Chuck Yeager broke
the speed of sound,
00:34:14.960 --> 00:34:16.700
he had a broken rib.
00:34:16.700 --> 00:34:20.427
All these things were
absolutely incredible feats.
00:34:20.427 --> 00:34:23.100
- [Peter] I think it's very
dangerous with this
00:34:23.100 --> 00:34:28.100
heroic speech to encourage
people to take a wrong decision
00:34:28.690 --> 00:34:33.336
because we never have the
story of those who got killed.
00:34:44.190 --> 00:34:48.320
- [Peter] Nobody in the
future will understand
00:34:48.320 --> 00:34:52.090
that two managers can
go against a whole team,
00:34:52.090 --> 00:34:54.900
and you really force
us to support something
00:34:54.900 --> 00:34:56.660
that nobody wants to do.
00:34:56.660 --> 00:34:58.930
- I just want to make
one point very clear,
00:34:58.930 --> 00:35:01.760
there's only so much we
can do to support you
00:35:01.760 --> 00:35:03.864
from here from the ground,
so when you decide to go on
00:35:03.864 --> 00:35:07.210
you will be on your own up there.
00:35:07.210 --> 00:35:10.990
- This is Captain speaking,
we have to start to climb now
00:35:10.990 --> 00:35:14.191
if we want to have a chance
to respect the profile.
00:35:14.191 --> 00:35:15.583
- Go.
00:35:15.583 --> 00:35:16.916
- Climb.
- Climb.
00:35:38.675 --> 00:35:42.592
(speaking in foreign language)
00:36:07.213 --> 00:36:08.046
- From an engineering
point of view
00:36:08.046 --> 00:36:09.517
it was the wrong decision.
00:36:09.517 --> 00:36:13.080
That you still can make
it is like, I don't know,
00:36:13.080 --> 00:36:14.860
driving with a flat tire.
00:36:14.860 --> 00:36:17.573
- You have to be lucky from
a certain point of view.
00:36:19.658 --> 00:36:22.853
But it's their decision.
00:36:30.820 --> 00:36:35.220
- We saved the project by
deciding not to return to Japan.
00:36:35.220 --> 00:36:37.610
On the other hand, you
have some of the engineers
00:36:37.610 --> 00:36:38.540
who are so pissed off
00:36:38.540 --> 00:36:41.110
because we did not follow
their recommendation.
00:36:41.110 --> 00:36:43.340
They want to leave the project,
00:36:43.340 --> 00:36:45.690
and I don't know what
will happen after Hawaii.
00:36:47.660 --> 00:36:50.760
There are moments where you
have to take some risks
00:36:50.760 --> 00:36:54.260
if you want to achieve something
that has never been done.
00:36:54.260 --> 00:36:56.080
Otherwise, we stay in the armchair
00:36:56.080 --> 00:37:00.410
and we wait until we're old
and we die, and we do nothing.
00:37:01.836 --> 00:37:04.919
(plane engine humming)
00:37:07.901 --> 00:37:10.568
(alarm beeping)
00:37:20.832 --> 00:37:25.553
- A lot of wake-up calls
in this airplane.
00:37:26.814 --> 00:37:29.397
(pensive instrumental music)
00:37:31.210 --> 00:37:34.710
The first night was about
digesting the emotion
00:37:34.710 --> 00:37:37.183
of the first day, it was really tense.
00:37:38.255 --> 00:37:40.650
Then I look out I see the
moon, I see the clouds
00:37:40.650 --> 00:37:42.203
here over the Pacific.
00:37:43.800 --> 00:37:45.257
I think I feel a bit high.
00:38:05.618 --> 00:38:06.980
- We need to burn more energy.
00:38:06.980 --> 00:38:09.240
- It's a risky game to--
00:38:09.240 --> 00:38:10.073
- I know.
00:38:12.457 --> 00:38:16.050
- Due to the flight profile
we did on the first day,
00:38:16.050 --> 00:38:17.610
the batteries got too warm.
00:38:17.610 --> 00:38:21.500
If it sums up over the days,
it can become really too hot.
00:38:21.500 --> 00:38:26.043
They can start to burn.
00:38:43.570 --> 00:38:46.990
- The first two nights he
had three hours of sleep,
00:38:46.990 --> 00:38:48.200
that's okay.
00:38:48.200 --> 00:38:50.410
But we don't know what's
gonna happen on day four
00:38:50.410 --> 00:38:52.663
if you keep that
rhythm, and day five.
00:38:55.300 --> 00:38:59.160
So we climb every day the
equivalent of sea level
00:38:59.160 --> 00:39:02.513
straight up to Mount Everest,
no acclimatization.
00:39:03.839 --> 00:39:08.100
If you don't have enough oxygen,
there is a risk of hypoxia.
00:39:08.100 --> 00:39:11.810
Within 60 seconds, will
lead to a severe degradation
00:39:11.810 --> 00:39:16.094
in your ability to understand
what's going on around you.
00:39:16.094 --> 00:39:21.094
You become euphoric, then very
quickly you will pass out.
00:39:22.543 --> 00:39:25.380
(deep breathing)
00:39:25.380 --> 00:39:29.000
We're watching to see how his
body is absorbing the oxygen.
00:39:29.000 --> 00:39:31.430
Is he actually getting enough?
00:39:31.430 --> 00:39:34.110
And you're constantly listening
to this (mimics deep breathing)
00:39:36.683 --> 00:39:41.683
You hold your breath and hope
he breaths, and you keep going.
00:39:47.220 --> 00:39:52.220
- Pilot status, mood, he's
exhausted, not as good as it was.
00:39:52.643 --> 00:39:56.224
- We have a pilot that is
starting to show signs of fatigue.
00:39:56.224 --> 00:40:00.170
We have batteries that will
not take a lot more abuse.
00:40:00.170 --> 00:40:02.840
We see that all the
systems are stressed, yeah.
00:40:02.840 --> 00:40:04.470
The flight is not over.
00:40:04.470 --> 00:40:08.110
- Quite intense, you have to
perform because it's real time.
00:40:08.110 --> 00:40:09.797
As an engineer, you are used to,
00:40:09.797 --> 00:40:11.840
"Okay, I solved the equation today,
00:40:11.840 --> 00:40:13.210
and if I don't solve it today
00:40:13.210 --> 00:40:15.000
then I'm going to solve it tomorrow."
00:40:15.000 --> 00:40:17.260
And this is totally different.
00:40:17.260 --> 00:40:20.200
I'm kind of happy that it's soon over.
00:40:21.063 --> 00:40:24.146
(plane engine whirring)
00:40:25.130 --> 00:40:26.780
- So now preparation for landing.
00:40:27.790 --> 00:40:29.822
Was thinking about all this,
00:40:29.822 --> 00:40:31.629
then I cried quite loud.
00:40:31.629 --> 00:40:34.370
A little bit ridiculous, you know,
alone in the cockpit crying.
00:40:34.370 --> 00:40:37.977
Everything is going well,
but it was so intense.
00:40:40.526 --> 00:40:42.550
- [Female Reporter] This will
be the furthest a solar plane
00:40:42.550 --> 00:40:46.610
has ever flown, as well as the
longest lasting solar flight
00:40:46.610 --> 00:40:48.390
in aviation history.
00:41:00.600 --> 00:41:04.517
(speaking in foreign language)
00:41:10.493 --> 00:41:13.076
(crowd cheering)
00:41:17.712 --> 00:41:20.629
(triumphant instrumental music)
00:41:31.606 --> 00:41:35.523
- [Mission Control] Aircraft secure.
- Andre!
00:41:39.716 --> 00:41:42.299
(group cheering)
00:41:55.388 --> 00:41:59.240
- I received so much support
from people I didn't know.
00:41:59.240 --> 00:42:01.680
And the beautiful messages,
so when you read this
00:42:01.680 --> 00:42:06.200
you know that people
are supporting you.
00:42:06.200 --> 00:42:10.223
And that was carried by
by all this, I'm sure.
00:42:13.160 --> 00:42:17.070
- All of us were very lucky
to have the pilot back.
00:42:17.070 --> 00:42:20.090
But when this decision came
up that Andre and Bertrand
00:42:20.090 --> 00:42:24.220
wanna continue, it hurt us in the soul
00:42:24.220 --> 00:42:27.453
that somebody decided against us.
00:42:29.524 --> 00:42:33.840
- I was fully in opposition
to Andre and Bertrand.
00:42:33.840 --> 00:42:36.850
The engineers tried to
set reasonable limits
00:42:36.850 --> 00:42:37.840
that you survive.
00:42:37.840 --> 00:42:40.570
And your target is always
00:42:40.570 --> 00:42:43.853
to sort of prove us that we
set the limits too narrow.
00:42:48.416 --> 00:42:53.416
(speaking foreign language)
(device beeping)
00:42:54.000 --> 00:42:57.473
- The concern about the batteries
is that they are damaged.
00:42:59.290 --> 00:43:01.420
At the moment you're on
the worst case scenario
00:43:01.420 --> 00:43:05.860
where we have to exchange
some cells in the batteries,
00:43:05.860 --> 00:43:08.658
which this is a nightmare.
00:43:08.658 --> 00:43:11.241
(gentle piano music)
00:43:14.530 --> 00:43:19.530
- We have overheated the
batteries, more cells are damaged
00:43:20.060 --> 00:43:21.773
than the spare parts we have.
00:43:23.365 --> 00:43:27.130
So the logical consequence
is that we will stay here
00:43:27.130 --> 00:43:29.353
until next April where we can continue.
00:43:43.208 --> 00:43:45.625
(heavy thudding)
00:44:01.050 --> 00:44:04.663
Last year I was too
much emotionally involved.
00:44:05.680 --> 00:44:08.100
I was thinking it's now or never.
00:44:08.100 --> 00:44:11.350
I was completely the
head under the water,
00:44:11.350 --> 00:44:15.020
which is really not good for flying
an airplane over oceans, you know.
00:44:15.020 --> 00:44:19.030
- Good morning Betrand, this
is Kristoff, how are you?
00:44:19.030 --> 00:44:22.361
- I'm fine, I had four
hours of good sleep.
00:44:22.361 --> 00:44:24.149
- Very good.
00:44:24.149 --> 00:44:27.760
- My father and my
grandfather gave me the drive
00:44:27.760 --> 00:44:29.063
to be an explorer.
00:44:30.435 --> 00:44:35.313
But my mother showed me the
need to give it meaning.
00:44:37.590 --> 00:44:40.950
We were extremely close,
like two human beings
00:44:40.950 --> 00:44:45.443
in quest of understanding
why we were on this earth.
00:44:50.064 --> 00:44:50.897
- Wonderful.
00:44:52.356 --> 00:44:54.747
Have a great flight Betrand, enjoy it!
00:44:54.747 --> 00:44:57.143
And don't forget to come down!
00:44:59.590 --> 00:45:02.220
- People are always thinking
I am the wife,
00:45:02.220 --> 00:45:04.423
I should have this fear.
00:45:09.430 --> 00:45:12.333
When Betrand did his around
the world balloon flight,
00:45:12.333 --> 00:45:15.153
our children were very small.
00:45:18.130 --> 00:45:21.883
At this age children,
they don't have any fear.
00:45:24.090 --> 00:45:26.570
They are just living the present moment,
00:45:26.570 --> 00:45:31.558
and I just realized I should
not give them this fear.
00:45:31.558 --> 00:45:34.391
(reverent instrumental music)
00:45:58.637 --> 00:46:01.870
- First sunrise over a sea of clouds,
00:46:01.870 --> 00:46:06.433
that's the sunrise I
will remember all my life.
00:46:06.433 --> 00:46:07.419
(monitor ringing)
00:46:07.419 --> 00:46:09.960
Switching on the solar generators.
00:46:14.967 --> 00:46:16.893
I can show you my little house.
00:46:18.210 --> 00:46:21.590
That's the kitchen,
where I prepare my food.
00:46:21.590 --> 00:46:23.923
The toilet is inside the seat.
00:46:24.810 --> 00:46:27.833
That's the cellar, breakfast.
00:46:28.903 --> 00:46:32.653
The family, Estelle, Oriane
and Solange. Michelle.
00:46:40.280 --> 00:46:44.490
- Hello Solar Impulse,
hello Captain Piccard.
00:46:44.490 --> 00:46:46.810
- Good afternoon,
Mr. Secretary General.
00:46:46.810 --> 00:46:50.150
I speak to you from the
cockpit of Solar Impulse
00:46:50.150 --> 00:46:54.420
in the middle of the Pacific,
flying on solar power.
00:46:54.420 --> 00:46:56.700
All this airplane is like a smart grid,
00:46:56.700 --> 00:46:59.180
collecting energy, distributing energy
00:46:59.180 --> 00:47:01.660
with very, very high efficiency.
00:47:01.660 --> 00:47:04.960
And this is exactly
what the world needs.
00:47:04.960 --> 00:47:09.830
- Wonderful, you look like
an astronaut in the moon.
00:47:09.830 --> 00:47:11.890
- Thank you, Mr. Secretary General,
00:47:11.890 --> 00:47:14.615
and congratulation for
what you are doing.
00:47:14.615 --> 00:47:15.920
The world will remember it.
00:47:15.920 --> 00:47:18.400
- While you are making history,
00:47:18.400 --> 00:47:21.558
we have also made history today.
00:47:21.558 --> 00:47:26.558
More than 175 countries signed
the climate change agreement.
00:47:27.740 --> 00:47:31.210
Thank you for your
leadership and inspiration.
00:47:31.210 --> 00:47:33.952
All the best to you, bon voyage.
00:47:33.952 --> 00:47:36.702
(assembly clapping)
00:47:44.187 --> 00:47:49.050
- And the sun's going to
arrive in a few minutes
00:47:49.050 --> 00:47:51.007
to carry me to San Francisco.
00:47:53.010 --> 00:47:56.927
(speaking in foreign language)
00:48:15.133 --> 00:48:20.633
14 lost years of attempts,
of setbacks, of problems.
00:48:22.360 --> 00:48:24.720
It was worth going
through all these moments
00:48:24.720 --> 00:48:27.033
just to be here now.
00:48:43.740 --> 00:48:45.980
- This is the moment where you start
00:48:45.980 --> 00:48:50.157
to see electric power taking off.
00:48:52.317 --> 00:48:55.484
(plane engine whistling)
00:49:05.530 --> 00:49:08.320
- When people think fuel is forever,
00:49:08.320 --> 00:49:13.320
they forget the Gold Rush a hundred
years ago and the ghost towns.
00:49:16.820 --> 00:49:20.890
I'm not saying Solar Impulse
will replace an airplane
00:49:20.890 --> 00:49:22.420
like that very soon.
00:49:22.420 --> 00:49:27.100
In 10 years time, we have
airplanes flying electric
00:49:27.100 --> 00:49:32.040
with batteries plugged in
the grid before takeoff,
00:49:32.040 --> 00:49:33.983
and they will transport 50 people.
00:49:36.430 --> 00:49:39.400
Ladies and gentlemen, you
are now doing your last flights
00:49:39.400 --> 00:49:41.930
on a combustion engine airplane.
00:49:41.930 --> 00:49:45.601
In the future you will
be flying electric.
00:49:45.601 --> 00:49:48.434
(uplifting instrumental music)
00:49:58.760 --> 00:50:00.522
When you're in the
middle of the unknown,
00:50:00.522 --> 00:50:02.610
you have these moments of grace.
00:50:02.610 --> 00:50:07.080
You are at that moment like
you would like to be forever.
00:50:26.700 --> 00:50:29.220
- [Female Reporter] An airplane
powered solely by the sun
00:50:29.220 --> 00:50:33.750
has made aviation history after
an almost three day flight
00:50:33.750 --> 00:50:35.410
across the Atlantic from New York.
00:50:35.410 --> 00:50:36.243
- [Male Reporter] From Seville,
00:50:36.243 --> 00:50:38.820
the aircraft will continue
its journey back to Abu Dhabi,
00:50:38.820 --> 00:50:41.543
where it all began for
this extraordinary project.
00:50:51.800 --> 00:50:55.060
- When I flew yesterday
over the pyramids,
00:50:55.060 --> 00:50:57.663
they were just emerging out of the haze.
00:51:00.320 --> 00:51:05.320
I guess it was exactly the same
as they were 4500 years ago.
00:51:07.290 --> 00:51:09.990
They believed in eternal life.
00:51:09.990 --> 00:51:12.453
And for me, it's a symbol of eternity.
00:51:14.730 --> 00:51:18.030
Solar Impulse is also
intended to be a symbol.
00:51:18.030 --> 00:51:20.835
A symbol about sustainability,
a symbol about the potential
00:51:20.835 --> 00:51:22.503
of renewable energy.
00:51:26.570 --> 00:51:28.060
If you build something like this,
00:51:28.060 --> 00:51:31.718
which is done to be forever,
it's not necessarily the
00:51:31.718 --> 00:51:33.933
solution we should go for.
00:51:35.200 --> 00:51:39.030
Sustainability means that
you stay in line with nature,
00:51:39.880 --> 00:51:41.517
and I'm not sure if the way we build
00:51:41.517 --> 00:51:43.203
takes this into account.
00:51:47.214 --> 00:51:51.090
- There are so many mixed
thoughts and feelings right now
00:51:51.090 --> 00:51:52.090
that it's difficult.
00:51:53.268 --> 00:51:55.890
After this flight, it's over.
00:51:55.890 --> 00:51:58.743
So it's like a family
that's going to split.
00:52:00.700 --> 00:52:02.660
But there's the message,
00:52:02.660 --> 00:52:05.850
and what we have to
do out of this flight.
00:52:05.850 --> 00:52:09.703
And I'm working since years
for that, and for that moment,
00:52:10.560 --> 00:52:14.203
and I want to be sure not to waste it.
00:52:18.550 --> 00:52:20.751
I've never been in a project that gave
00:52:20.751 --> 00:52:25.470
as many moments of elation
and moments of disappointment.
00:52:25.470 --> 00:52:27.280
It's really strange.
00:52:34.223 --> 00:52:38.140
(speaking in foreign language)
00:52:43.704 --> 00:52:46.787
(plane engine whistling)
00:52:58.781 --> 00:53:01.531
(crowd cheering)
00:53:18.360 --> 00:53:21.693
- As we told you, the night
might be quite tough for you.
00:53:31.980 --> 00:53:33.051
We can't save the planet
00:53:33.051 --> 00:53:35.930
with one plane flying around the world,
00:53:35.930 --> 00:53:39.090
but maybe it inspires many people
00:53:39.090 --> 00:53:41.070
to start solving problems instead.
00:53:41.070 --> 00:53:43.873
Then maybe it was worth all the stress.
00:53:57.800 --> 00:54:01.723
- When Andre took off the
ninth of March last year,
00:54:02.900 --> 00:54:06.270
I was thinking, we are completely crazy.
00:54:06.270 --> 00:54:08.420
And a year and a half later,
00:54:08.420 --> 00:54:10.870
you see the result of
what our team has achieved
00:54:10.870 --> 00:54:12.633
because they accepted to dream.
00:54:14.410 --> 00:54:17.570
And when you see the
state of the world today,
00:54:17.570 --> 00:54:21.410
it is a crime not to try something,
00:54:21.410 --> 00:54:26.153
not to try to increase quality
of life on this planet.
00:54:28.910 --> 00:54:33.910
We love to fly, for others
it's an art, in science,
00:54:34.330 --> 00:54:38.323
in the community, but we have to try.
00:54:43.330 --> 00:54:46.110
- What I remember is to
be on this runway
00:54:46.110 --> 00:54:49.389
15 months ago, exactly at this position,
00:54:49.389 --> 00:54:53.027
ready for the flight around the world.
00:54:53.027 --> 00:54:55.348
Not knowing what would happen,
00:54:55.348 --> 00:54:57.830
not knowing how much
time it would take.
00:54:57.830 --> 00:55:01.003
Just go, just go and start.
00:55:05.050 --> 00:55:06.680
And seeing the airplane coming,
00:55:06.680 --> 00:55:09.163
it's like slowing down the time.
00:55:10.790 --> 00:55:13.657
It's really, really strong.
00:55:22.732 --> 00:55:24.065
Oh, we did it! Wonderful!
00:55:28.957 --> 00:55:31.540
(group cheering)
00:56:08.092 --> 00:56:09.854
(camera shutters clicking)
00:56:32.584 --> 00:56:35.167
(crowd cheering)
00:56:56.421 --> 00:56:59.254
(uplifting instrumental music)
Distributor: Bullfrog Films
Length: 57 minutes
Date: 2020
Genre: Expository
Language: English / English subtitles
Grade: 7-12
Color/BW:
Closed Captioning: Available
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