The Solar Impulse team always enjoys presenting our airplane wherever we land, and our stop in the Washington D.C. area is no exception.  Today was our public day here and the thousands of excited visitors that came to visit energized everyone on the team.

This particular public day is special because we are hosted on site at the National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. The Center is one of the world’s premier museums for aviation and space history, engaging the public while providing inspiration for conquering new frontiers.

Next door to our display tent we can see the massive hangars of the Center, which house hundreds of planes and space vehicles, including the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, the fastest jet in the world, the prototype of the Boeing 707, a Concorde supersonic airliner, and the retired space shuttle Discovery.

As we answered questions and told the Solar Impulse story for today’s visitors, we couldn’t help but think about the pioneering efforts memorialized in the museum next door. Did the designers of the Concorde know that their plane would one day be museum worthy for its groundbreaking achievements? Did the architects of the Space Shuttle imagine that they would be the public face of human space travel for 30 years? It’s humbling to think about our own work with these incredible vehicles so close nearby.

One thing we know is that Solar Impulse and these giants of history share a common pioneering spirit – a commitment to push the very limits of what is possible to accomplish amazing things.  And we know that the next pages of history are as yet unwritten – and we can make clean technology a big part of the next chapter.  Who knows --maybe one day we’ll even be able to see Solar Impulse displayed in a museum as an important step in achieving a clean technology world!

Bertrand gracefully touched down on runway 19L at Dulles International Airport at 00:15 AM EDT (UTC-4), Sunday June 16^th. Bertrand had a chance to get some incredible shots above the Appalachians and the solar airplane was in great shape despite the quasi-shower it experienced this morning before take-off. The fog that lingered over Cincinnati Municipal Lunken Airport caused condensation to form on the wings which the Ground Crew had to meticulously wipe off with cloths and pipettes. But at least Solar Impulse is now shiny and clean, ready to show off to the public!  

Bertrand and André are thrilled to be in Washington D.C., the nation’s capital but also the first stop on the East Coast before going to New York City. It was also an emotional flight on a more personal level: it was Bertrand’s last mission flight in the cockpit of HB-SIA. What a wonderful way to say goodbye to the prototype that has exceeded all expectations! André will be taking the controls for the final leg of the Across America adventure, connecting Washington D.C. to New York City.

The entire Solar Impulse team worked really hard to make this mission a success as well as to turn it into an unforgettable and symbolic final adventure of the solar airplane, HB-SIA, that’s so dear to all of us. The adrenaline and excitement are palpable as the mission is slowly coming to end and none of this would have been possible without the team. In fact, the key to success is a four letter word: T-E-A-M. From the Engineers, to the Meteorologists; from the Marketing and Communications team to the Logistics team; from the Press to Multimedia to the Ground Crew; from the ATC to the Analysts; it was all made possible thanks to professionalism, passion and especially humor! Between the intense moments of concentration, there is always room for fooling around and cracking a joke, an essential ingredient to keep us all going.

Today, Sunday 16^th an Open House will be organized from 1PM to 5PM. Everybody is welcome as the entrance is free while parking is $15 before 4PM. Just go to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center; for directions click here.