WORLD SOLAR NAVIGATION CHALLENGE

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"Only those who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, will!"  -  Henry Dunant

Two European teams are now planning to try and set world navigation records in a solar powered boat.  The first team is from the United Kingdom, led by Nelson Kruschandl.  His vessel is called Solar Navigator.  The development of this project has been mostly in the backyard and on local waters.  

The second and latest team to decide to go for it as of March 16 2006, are PlanetSolar, a Swiss/French team is made up of 15 persons, 11 concerned with the boat and expedition directly and 4 on a sponsorship committee - as listed below.

THE BOATS

Though the technology is similar, the designs use quite different approaches.  In fact the Solar Navigator started out as a SWATH design, first exhibited at Earls Court in 1995.  Since that time various wave piercing models have been developed and tested, the aim being to improve performance and reduce build costs.  Both teams estimate similar travel times.  One day it may be possible to travel around the world on solar power, in under 80 days.  Jules Verne would have loved this.

PlanetSolar - ROUTE and EXPEDITION

Raphaël Domjan - Project's Founder and future Co-Navigator

Patrick Schoetker - Team Medical Doctor, Anesthesiologist FMH

PlanetSolar - SCIENTIFIC SUPPORT

Richard Mesple - Engineer, HES, Project Manager

Marc Wüst - Builder and Naval Designer

Pascal Goulpié - Scientific Coordinator
Philippe Lechaire - Technical Adviser, Engineer-Physicist

Jean-François Affolter - Technical Adviser, Engineer M. ENG

PlanetSolat - ADMINISTRATION and MARKETING

Stefan Nowak - Strategy and Partnerships
Paola Ghillani - Sustainable Economy and Marketing

Frédéric Rein - Media and Communication, Journalist

Alexis Domjan - Webmaster and Graphics

PlanetSolar - SPONSORSHIP STEERING COMMITTEE

Jean-Louis Aucouturier  - Founder of the Electric Boats of France AFBE

Jean-Luc Van Den Heede - Navigator and Record Holder

Jean Verne  - Great-Grandson of the writer, Jules Verne

Fernand Cuche - Conseiller d'Etat neuchâtelois, Vert

If you would like to learn more about either of these projects, please use the contact information below.

Nelson Kruschandl - Solar Navigator Manager

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