A solar-powered aircraft breaks a 15-year altitude record, climbing to 9,521 meters.

Swiss pilot Raphael Domjan has set a new altitude record for solar-powered aircraft, reaching 9,521 meters with his plane, SolarStratos. The previous record had remained unbroken for 15 years.

Swiss pilot Raphael Domjan has broken a new altitude record for solar-powered electric planes. He successfully ascended to an altitude of 31,237 feet (9,521 meters) with the aircraft named SolarStratos. The previous record, set at 30,298 feet (9,235 meters), had not been surpassed for 15 years.

To reach this unprecedented height, Domjan utilized thermal air currents. The flight lasted 5 hours and 9 minutes. During the flight, the pilot even encountered a passenger jet at cruising altitude. The team described this moment as a powerful symbol of the future of fossil-free aviation.

Described as an eco-adventure enthusiast and instructor, Domjan can fly planes, gliders, and helicopters. His goal is to fly a solar-powered plane above 10,000 meters, the altitude at which passenger planes fly. If successful, the team plans to make the first manned stratospheric flight with a solar-powered aircraft. In the latitudes of Switzerland, the stratosphere begins at approximately 12,000 meters (39,370 feet).

SolarStratos Aircraft Specifications

The record-breaking aircraft is a single-propeller, carbon fiber fuselage model with a propeller positioned at the front. It has a length of 9.6 meters and a wingspan of 24.8 meters. Its wings are covered with a total of 22 square meters of high-efficiency solar panels. The plane has a takeoff speed of 50 km/h and can reach a maximum speed of 140 km/h. Its cruising speed is approximately 80 km/h.

Flight Plan and Record Rules

Prior to the record attempt, Domjan reached 6,589 meters in a test flight on July 31st. The first record attempt, planned for Friday, was canceled due to unfavorable weather conditions. This allowed the battery power to be conserved, and the plane climbed to 8,224 meters on Sunday.

The climb for SolarStratos begins by using thermal currents at altitudes between 4,000 and 5,000 meters. At this level, the batteries are recharged before the second ascent begins. According to the rules, the batteries must be fully charged with solar energy before takeoff. The aircraft must land with at least 16% battery charge and be powered entirely by its solar panels.

The previous record was set in 2010 by Swiss pilot Andre Borschberg with the Solar Impulse aircraft. Domjan’s flight is of great importance as it demonstrates that high-altitude sustainable flight is achievable.

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