Swiss aviator tops solar-powered flight altitude record
SolarStratos Shatters 15‑Year‑Old Altitude Record
Switzerland’s SolarStratos aircraft, powered solely by solar panels, lifted pilot Raphael Domjan to a staggering 9,521 metres on Tuesday. The feat surpassed the current 15‑year marker of 9,235 metres, setting a fresh benchmark for solar‑powered flight.
Mission Highlights
- Flight duration: 5 h 9 min
- Take‑off speed: 50 kph upward
- Maximum speed: 140 kph
- Cruising speed: ≈80 kph
- Solar panel area: 22 m² across a 24.8 m wingspan
- Aircraft length: 9.6 m
Strategic Ascent
SolarStratos ascends in two phases: the first climb exploits warm air thermals to reach 4,000–5,000 m, where the plane recharges batteries. A second climb then propels the aircraft to the new record altitude.
Records are verified only if all energy during flight is generated by the solar cells, including pre‑flight battery charging and a final landing under own power. The World Air Sports Federation will unilaterally validate the new altitude.
Future Targets
Domjan aims to cross the 10,000‑metre threshold, matching commercial airliner altitude, and ultimately break into the stratosphere beginning at ~12,000 m. Each milestone “captures imaginations” and promotes solar energy for a cleaner planet.
Legacy & Vision
Domjan, a pioneer in the solar realm, crowned his career with a 2012 global voyage aboard a solar‑powered boat. His message to the next generation: “Fly without fossil fuels or carbon emissions.” He declares that tomorrow can outshine today, proving that renewable energy can sustain humanity.
Key Milestones
- Warm‑up flight (31 Jul): 6,589 m – best 2024 record
- First Friday attempt: abandoned due to weak thermals
- Sunday lift (8,224 m): saved batteries, enabled final record climb
- Previous record (2010) – SolarImpulse, pilot Andre Borschberg
SolarStrength: 22 m² of High‑Spec Solar Panels
The SolarStratos is a single‑propeller, front‑mounted carbon fibre design. Its wingspan of 24.8 m supports 22 m² of cutting‑edge solar panels, enabling low‑speed flight and efficient climb profiles.
In Overview
SolarStratos celebrates a new altitude record, and with a team’s dedication, it pushes the frontier of solar‑powered aviation toward the stratosphere. The journey continues, inspiring the next era of clean, sustainable flight.
