PlanetSolar.org - Comité de parrainage

THE SPONSORSHIP COMMITTEE

Jean Verne
Jean Verne, Great-Grandson of the writer, Jules Verne.
« The PlanetSolar project is part of the Vernien endeavors; humanitys hope for a better future in a world that seems to be calling into question all the dangers that threaten it. While reading about this research program on innovative vehicles that are safe for the environment, my thoughts turned to Jules Vernes novel, «The Begums Fortune», which brings to the forefront a vision of short term profit making at the cost of destruction; a vision that considers both nature and mankind. Even though it is a bit exaggerated in certain aspects, this ecological opus depicts all of our own contradictions and hopes. In the spirit of the PlanetSolar project that calls upon scientists, technicians, industries, financiers and scholars who are working together on an "extraordinary voyage into known and unknown worlds," I am writing these few words at the same time our society is asking the unthinkable question of its own survival. A special thanks to my Great-Grandfather Jules Verne who has given the PlanetSolar team the idea, the will, the audacity and who has inspired such an exciting, valuable project.»

Jean Verne
Albert Falco, Diver and Captain of the Calypso
«As a European citizen involved in the preservation of the natural environment, and in particular that of the sea, I readily join the Swiss-French PlanetSolar team. Technological applications on hybrid vehicles that use solar energy will prove useful. The team's goal is to prepare a "round the world" voyage by bringing photovoltaic energy into play. Subsequent use of a fuel cell seems completely sensible to me, so that we can bequeath a cleaner planet to our heirs. This non-polluting electric boat will serve as a laboratory and will contribute efficiently to the stimulation, innovation and research for an economical and ecological propulsion system. After observing the year to year degradation of our environment, it is now essential to take steps towards sustainable development, particularly for the good of our children's future.
This athletic and ingenious team, headed by the adventurer founder, Raphaël Domjan, seems to me to be completely able to succeed at this challenge. This achievement will be a great contribution to the 21st century.»

Nando Parrado
Nando Parrado, film-maker, racing car driver, survivor of Uruguayan Air Force flight 571 in the Andes in 1972, author of the book "Miracle in the Andes"
« This is a great technological adventure, where men will be challenged by nature and will also learn about and share the immense possibilities of solar energy. This is one of the few adventures in this world, that has never been done before and will be exciting to follow. I love the spirit of adventure and to take environmental issues at heart, so I congratulate Raphaël Domjan, as he will inspire governments and peoples of the world to take care of our only nest and home... Our lovely blue planet !»

Jean-Luc Van Den Heede
Jean-Luc Van Den Heede, Navigator and Record Holder of the solo non-stop westward circumnavigation by sailboat. Ten Cape Horn passages, four around the worldsailing tours; two of these tours in the Vendée Globe Race.
«To help insure the future of our planet, man should use alternative energies more and more because its obvious that one day, fossil fuel shortages will compel the world to use them. We have two free energies that we must take advantage of now: wind and the sun. Based on my own five, solo around the world tours, of which one was against the winds and counter dominant currents, powered only by wind, it appears quite logical to me to support a solar energy powered around the world tour. This technological adventure should have great appeal to all those who are taking care of our planet. I hope that PlanetSolar will find the necessary partners so they can successfully travel the Vendée Globe route, while setting an unprecedented time record. Be sure to join me in this ambitious project!»

Nicole et Serge Roetheli
Nicole and Serge Roethli
A sense of wonder is the first step towards respecting our planet. Having run around the world, I often tell schoolchildren and audiences that you have to 'know how to remain a child, astonished by the beauty of the world'. To have the courage to dare... to keep being astonished... that's what really counts. Nicole and I offer our heartfelt support to PlanetSolar, because it seems to us to reflect the very essence of adventure. Having the courage to dare... setting off into the unknown... showing respect for other people and the planet.
It was so often clear to us — throughout the thousands of kilometers we covered on five continents — just how much the sun means life, strength, warmth, hope... we can only encourage and believe in the success of PlanetSolar for a future that respects our planet, and to keep the dream of wonder alive in us all! Never give up, you can do it... Good luck.

Nicolas Prantzos
Nicolas Prantzos, astrophysicist, Research Director at the CNRS Institute of Astrophysics, Paris, author of "Our Cosmic Future: Humanity's Fate in the Universe"
How could one be anything other than enthusiastic about a project that blends symbolic and practical aspects so harmoniously? The sun, by far the most important source of energy in our local universe, the source of life on our planet since the beginning, and now — thanks to man's ingenuity — a source of civilisation; because "peaceful coexistence" between man and nature is now one of the major challenges for our civilisation. One small step in the direction suggested by the PlanetSolar team would, in my view, amount to a giant leap for mankind.

Jean-Louis Aucouturier
Jean-Louis Aucouturier, Professor Emeritus at the ENSEIRB Graduate Engineering School - Bordeaux Science and Technology University and President-Founder of the Electric Boats of France (l'Association française pour le bateau électrique - AFBE).
«I believe that solar energy represents the future. It could lead to better conservation of the planet. Therefore, the PlanetSolar project would be an excellent demonstration to the general public; they can become fully aware of this earth-friendly reality.»

	Jean Verne, Great-Grandson of the writer, Jules Verne. « The PlanetSolar project is part of the Vernien endeavors; humanitys hope for a better future in a world that seems to be calling into question all the dangers that threaten it. While reading about this research program on innovative vehicles that are safe for the environment, my thoughts turned to Jules Vernes novel, «The Begums Fortune», which brings to the forefront a vision of short term profit making at the cost of destruction; a vision that considers both nature and mankind. Even though it is a bit exaggerated in certain aspects, this ecological opus depicts all of our own contradictions and hopes. In the spirit of the PlanetSolar project that calls upon scientists, technicians, industries, financiers and scholars who are working together on an "extraordinary voyage into known and unknown worlds," I am writing these few words at the same time our society is asking the unthinkable question of its own survival. A special thanks to my Great-Grandfather Jules Verne who has given the PlanetSolar team the idea, the will, the audacity and who has inspired such an exciting, valuable project.»


	Albert Falco, Diver and Captain of the Calypso «As a European citizen involved in the preservation of the natural environment, and in particular that of the sea, I readily join the Swiss-French PlanetSolar team. Technological applications on hybrid vehicles that use solar energy will prove useful. The team's goal is to prepare a "round the world" voyage by bringing photovoltaic energy into play. Subsequent use of a fuel cell seems completely sensible to me, so that we can bequeath a cleaner planet to our heirs. This non-polluting electric boat will serve as a laboratory and will contribute efficiently to the stimulation, innovation and research for an economical and ecological propulsion system. After observing the year to year degradation of our environment, it is now essential to take steps towards sustainable development, particularly for the good of our children's future. This athletic and ingenious team, headed by the adventurer founder, Raphaël Domjan, seems to me to be completely able to succeed at this challenge. This achievement will be a great contribution to the 21st century.»


	Nando Parrado, film-maker, racing car driver, survivor of Uruguayan Air Force flight 571 in the Andes in 1972, author of the book "Miracle in the Andes" « This is a great technological adventure, where men will be challenged by nature and will also learn about and share the immense possibilities of solar energy. This is one of the few adventures in this world, that has never been done before and will be exciting to follow. I love the spirit of adventure and to take environmental issues at heart, so I congratulate Raphaël Domjan, as he will inspire governments and peoples of the world to take care of our only nest and home... Our lovely blue planet !»


	Jean-Luc Van Den Heede, Navigator and Record Holder of the solo non-stop westward circumnavigation by sailboat. Ten Cape Horn passages, four around the worldsailing tours; two of these tours in the Vendée Globe Race. «To help insure the future of our planet, man should use alternative energies more and more because its obvious that one day, fossil fuel shortages will compel the world to use them. We have two free energies that we must take advantage of now: wind and the sun. Based on my own five, solo around the world tours, of which one was against the winds and counter dominant currents, powered only by wind, it appears quite logical to me to support a solar energy powered around the world tour. This technological adventure should have great appeal to all those who are taking care of our planet. I hope that PlanetSolar will find the necessary partners so they can successfully travel the Vendée Globe route, while setting an unprecedented time record. Be sure to join me in this ambitious project!»


	Nicole and Serge Roethli A sense of wonder is the first step towards respecting our planet. Having run around the world, I often tell schoolchildren and audiences that you have to 'know how to remain a child, astonished by the beauty of the world'. To have the courage to dare... to keep being astonished... that's what really counts. Nicole and I offer our heartfelt support to PlanetSolar, because it seems to us to reflect the very essence of adventure. Having the courage to dare... setting off into the unknown... showing respect for other people and the planet. It was so often clear to us — throughout the thousands of kilometers we covered on five continents — just how much the sun means life, strength, warmth, hope... we can only encourage and believe in the success of PlanetSolar for a future that respects our planet, and to keep the dream of wonder alive in us all! Never give up, you can do it... Good luck.

	Nicolas Prantzos, astrophysicist, Research Director at the CNRS Institute of Astrophysics, Paris, author of "Our Cosmic Future: Humanity's Fate in the Universe" How could one be anything other than enthusiastic about a project that blends symbolic and practical aspects so harmoniously? The sun, by far the most important source of energy in our local universe, the source of life on our planet since the beginning, and now — thanks to man's ingenuity — a source of civilisation; because "peaceful coexistence" between man and nature is now one of the major challenges for our civilisation. One small step in the direction suggested by the PlanetSolar team would, in my view, amount to a giant leap for mankind.


	Jean-Louis Aucouturier, Professor Emeritus at the ENSEIRB Graduate Engineering School - Bordeaux Science and Technology University and President-Founder of the Electric Boats of France (l'Association française pour le bateau électrique - AFBE). «I believe that solar energy represents the future. It could lead to better conservation of the planet. Therefore, the PlanetSolar project would be an excellent demonstration to the general public; they can become fully aware of this earth-friendly reality.»