While some 15,000 delegates make their way here for the Copenhagen Climate Talks which start tomorrow, back in Switzerland something else was happening...
One of the topics under discussion amongst delegates here is breakthrough technology that can really change the way we operate. In aviation, we are working on a number of these technologies: advanced second-generation biofuels, new airframe designs and potentially new ways to power aircraft systems. One such exploration is solar power.
A team in Switzerland, led by the inimitable Bertrand Piccard, has constructed Solar Impulse - a plane that will in the next couple of years, complete an around-the-world flight powered by nothing more than solar energy.
This week, the aircraft made its first steps towards that flight by getting airborne for the first time. This video shows the event which, to my eyes, is reminiscent of the old Wright Brothers footage from Kitty Hawke (although the camera technology has moved on just a little bit!).
Now, we don't think that solar energy will be enough to power commercial flights, but there are all sorts of on-board systems like air conditioning or in-flight entertainment that could use solar energy. We'll be keeping an eye on Solar Impulse as it starts flying more confidently.
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