Climate Impulse project reaches milestone success with main wing spar testing

What happens when you deliberately push a composite airplane wing to its absolute limits? The Climate Impulse engineering team finds out in this latest YouTube video where they perform a full-scale structural test of the wing’s main spar (materials supplied by Syensqo), the “backbone of Climate Impulse.”

The goal was to validate months of calculations, simulations and composite design under worst case flight loads, a critical step in the development of a hydrogen-powered airplane. In operation, the wing must withstand extreme forces encountered in flight, such as gusts and turbulence, while remaining lightweight to ensure optimal performance.

During the test, the team applied a load corresponding to the most severe conditions the aircraft could face, and results were outstanding. The spar held perfectly, validating both the quality of the composite materials and the precision of Climate Impulse’ engineering. 

Following this success, the team is moving forward with manufacturing the final wing structures for the aircraft. 

Climate Impulse aims to achieve the first nonstop, zero-emission flight around the world using a green hydrogen-powered airplane. This project, led by Bertrand Piccard and Raphaël Dinelli, demonstrates that innovation can reconcile ecology and performance, inspire collective action and pave the way toward sustainable aviation and a sustainable economy. Learn more about the project in this video.