Bertrand Piccard
Swiss explorer, psychiatrist, and environmentalist; first to circle globe by balloon and solar plane.
Bertrand Piccard, born 1 March 1958, is a Swiss psychiatrist, explorer, and environmentalist. He made history alongside Brian Jones by piloting the Breitling Orbiter 3 on the first non-stop balloon flight around the world. He also founded, chaired, and flew the Solar Impulse, the first solar-powered aircraft to circle the globe, with André Borschberg. In 2012, the UN Environment Programme named him a Champion of the Earth. He is the founder and chair of the Solar Impulse Foundation.
Piccard grew up in Lausanne, Switzerland. His grandfather, Auguste Piccard, was a balloonist and deep-sea explorer, and his father, Jacques Piccard, was also an undersea explorer. As a child, he watched space launches at Cape Canaveral. Though he was initially afraid of heights, he took up hang gliding at sixteen. He developed an early fascination with flight and how people behave in extreme situations. He earned a degree in psychiatry from the University of Lausanne.
Professionally, Piccard lectures and supervises at the Swiss Medical Society for Hypnosis. He holds pilot licenses for balloons, airplanes, gliders, and motorized gliders. In the 1970s, he was a European pioneer in hang gliding and microlight flying. He became the European hang-glider aerobatics champion in 1985.
On 1 March 1999, Piccard and Brian Jones launched from Château d'Oex, Switzerland, in the Breitling Orbiter 3—a bright red, egg-shaped, carbon-composite balloon sixteen feet long and seven feet wide. They completed the first non-stop balloon circumnavigation of the globe, the first in-atmosphere trip without fuel for forward motion. With help from a ground-based meteorology team, they rode a series of jet streams for 19 days, 21 hours, and 47 minutes, covering 45,755 kilometers (28,431 miles) before landing in Egypt. For this, Piccard received the Harmon Trophy, the FAI Gold Air Medal, and the Charles Green Salver.
In November 2003, Piccard announced a partnership with the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) for a solar-powered, long-range aircraft called Solar Impulse. Construction began in 2007, and short test flights with André Borschberg followed in 2009. By 2006, he had gathered a multi-disciplinary team of fifty specialists from six countries, plus about a hundred outside advisers. The project was funded by European private companies and individuals; the first official backer was Sempe
- born
- 1 March 1958
- field
- Explorer, psychiatrist, environmentalist
- nationality
- Swiss
- known_for
- First non-stop balloon circumnavigation (Breitling Orbiter 3); first round-the-world solar-powered flight (Solar Impulse)
Lore & Background
Bertrand Piccard was born in Lausanne, Switzerland, into a family of explorers: his grandfather Auguste Piccard was a balloonist and undersea explorer, and his father Jacques Piccard was an undersea explorer. As a child, he attended space flight launches at Cape Canaveral. Initially afraid of heights, he took up hang gliding at age 16 and later became the European hang-glider aerobatics champion in 1985. He earned a degree in psychiatry from the University of Lausanne and became a lecturer and supervisor at the Swiss Medical Society for Hypnosis.
On 1 March 1999, Piccard and Brian Jones launched the Breitling Orbiter 3 from Château d'Oex, Switzerland, completing the first non-stop balloon circumnavigation of the globe. The flight covered 45,755 km in 19 days, 21 hours, and 47 minutes, landing in Egypt. Piccard received the Harmon Trophy, FAI Gold Air Medal, and Charles Green Salver for this achievement.
In November 2003, Piccard announced the Solar Impulse project with the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. After construction and test flights, Solar Impulse 1 made its first nighttime flight in 2010 and its first intercontinental flight in 2012. In 2015–2016, Piccard and Borschberg completed the first round-the-world solar-powered flight in Solar Impulse 2. Piccard piloted the ninth segment, landing in California on 24 April 2016. The circumnavigation concluded on 26 July 2016.
Reader's Guide
Bertrand Piccard's significance lies in his pioneering achievements in aviation and his advocacy for clean technologies. By completing the first non-stop balloon circumnavigation, he demonstrated the potential of jet-stream navigation without fuel for forward motion. His Solar Impulse project proved that solar-powered flight could circle the globe, advancing public awareness of renewable energy. Piccard's work extends beyond exploration: as a UN Environment Programme Goodwill Ambassador (appointed December 2015) and founder of the Solar Impulse Foundation, he has promoted profitable environmental solutions. The foundation's Efficient Solutions Label, launched in May 2018, certifies innovations that are both economically viable and environmentally beneficial, with 1,000 solutions certified by April 2021. Piccard also set a record in 2019 for the most miles driven by a hydrogen car without refueling (778 km in a Hyundai NEXO). His legacy is that of an explorer who uses his platforms to accelerate the transition to a sustainable economy, linking adventure with practical environmental action.
Did You Know?
- Piccard was initially afraid of heights and took up hang gliding at age 16.
- He became the European hang-glider aerobatics champion in 1985.
- The Breitling Orbiter 3 balloon measured 16 feet long and 7 feet in diameter.
- Piccard was awarded the Mungo Park Medal jointly with André Borschberg in 2018.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Bertrand Piccard?
Bertrand Piccard is a Swiss psychiatrist, explorer, and environmentalist born on 1 March 1958 in Lausanne. He is best known for pioneering two landmark circumnavigations: one by hot-air balloon and one by solar-powered aircraft.
How did Bertrand Piccard complete the first non-stop balloon flight around the world?
In 1999, Piccard co-piloted the Breitling Orbiter 3 alongside British engineer Brian Jones, staying aloft for roughly 19 days to circle the globe without ever touching down. That feat made them the first people to finish an unbroken, non-stop balloon circumnavigation.
What is the Solar Impulse project and what role did Piccard play?
Solar Impulse was a pioneering effort to build an aircraft powered entirely by solar energy, with Piccard serving as its founder, chair, and pilot. Together with André Borschberg, he flew the plane around the world, making it the first solar-powered aircraft to achieve a full circumnavigation.
What recognition has Bertrand Piccard received for his work?
In 2012, the United Nations Environment Programme designated him a Champion of the Earth in recognition of his environmental advocacy. He also continues to lead the Solar Impulse Foundation, which promotes sustainable technology solutions worldwide.
What is Bertrand Piccard's connection to his grandfather Auguste Piccard?
Auguste Piccard was a renowned balloonist and deep-sea explorer, and growing up in his shadow in Lausanne clearly shaped Bertrand's own passion for exploration. Bertrand has often spoken about how his grandfather's record-breaking flights inspired him to push boundaries in aviation and environmental science.
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