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Bertrand PiccardSwiss psychiatrist and aeronaut
Date of Birth: 01.03.1958
Country:  Switzerland |
Content:
Biography of Bertrand Piccard
Early Life and InspirationBertrand Piccard, a Swiss psychiatrist and aviator, was born in Lausanne, in the canton of Vaud. He comes from a family of aviators and adventurers, with his grandfather, Auguste Piccard, and father, Jacques Piccard, being renowned inventors and balloonists. Growing up, Piccard was always fascinated by flights and as a child, he often witnessed space shuttle launches from Cape Canaveral. This sparked his interest in gliders and lightweight motorized vehicles for flying, as well as in hot air balloons, in which his grandfather had set records.
Aviation Achievements
Piccard is not only a lecturer and leader of the Swiss Society of Medical Hypnosis but also an accomplished aviator. On March 1, 1999, he and Brian Jones took off in the "Breitling Orbiter 3" hot air balloon from Château-d'Oex, Switzerland, completing the first non-stop balloon flight around the world. They landed in Egypt after a journey of 45,755 kilometers, lasting nineteen days, twenty-one hours, and forty-seven minutes. In recognition of their achievement, Piccard received several international awards, including the Harmon Trophy, the Gold Air Medal from the International Federation of Aeronautics, and the Charles Green Award.
Solar Impulse Project
In 2004, Piccard became a member of the project team with the "Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale" (Federal Polytechnic School) in Lausanne. The project aimed to develop a solar-powered, single-seater glider called "Solar Impulse" capable of long-duration flights. Piccard described this device as a means to embark on the greatest human adventures. The construction was set to begin in 2007, with test flights scheduled for 2008. The project received financial and technical support from various European companies, making Solar Impulse a European project with the primary scientific basis being led by EPFL. According to the plan, a test flight around the world, flying above the clouds during the day and at a lower altitude at night, was expected to take place in 2011. Currently, the project is progressing as scheduled.
Philosophy and Impact
Piccard is known for his vivid and imaginative statements, such as "The Invisible Hand." He embarked on a search for groundbreaking ideas to improve life on Earth, both as a doctor and as a human being. He believes that consciousness is the perception of the soul and welcomes those who believe in the power of dreams, offering them the opportunity to join him in his exploration of life. Through his aviation achievements and innovative projects, Piccard has inspired countless individuals and demonstrated the potential for sustainable aviation and exploration.
