Paris, March 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- One of the key challenges faced by Solar Impulse and Altran for their round-the-world flight was managing long non-stop legs of up to 120 hours and oceanic crossings spanning 7,000 to 10,000 kilometers (4,400 to 6,200 miles). During these lengthy flights, the Si2 solar aircraft would have to adapt to complex weather conditions. Due to their inherent instability, such conditions could pose dangerous situations for the aircraft. On the ground, at the Mission Control Centre (MCC) [1], the aircraft’s flight path during this extraordinary long-haul adventure would be tracked through a special mathematical calculation system developed by the Altran team.
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In 2014, 1,billion to 1,.5 billion possible flight paths were analyzed: this is how mathematics serves one of today’s most incredible adventures.
The mission of the Altran Flight Strategy Team working at the Mission Control Centre is to explore flight possibilities and develop optimal strategies so that the flight commander can receive a continuous flow of information for the decision-making process. Altran’s innovative calculation system is designed to simulate the best takeoff opportunities and ensure smooth communication between the aircraft and ground control, as well as understanding safety margins and risk levels. All aspects of these solutions are highly specific and have been discussed with the other three specialized teams at the Mission Control Centre -- — meteorologists, air traffic controllers, and onboard engineers.
Altran Chairman and CEO Philippe Salle explained:“Altran has developed an innovative calculation system capable of analyzing vast amounts of weather data and accurately estimating flight parameters at any given time. This enables the Flight Strategy Team to research and formulate the best strategies for all planned flights, and even simulate the flight before the aircraft leaves the ground.”
As Altran’s Solar Impulse Strategy and Forecasting Manager, Christophe Beesau and his team also provide maps and charts integrated into the pilots’ flight operation plans. In addition, the Altran team ensures continuous updates to the Mission Control Centre’s control screens, displaying current and projected flight conditions. This helps ensure the Mission Control Centre can monitor the flight at all times and anticipate any potential difficulties.
1. The “nerve center” of the round-the-world flight
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For more information: http://www.altran.com/hub-press/press-releases/2015/altran-guides-solar-impulse-around-the-world-thanks-to-mathematics.html#.VQazOtJwvl8