Latest news with #SolarStratos
eNCA
6 hours ago
- Climate
- eNCA
Swiss pilot takes big step closer to solar plane altitude record
ZURICH - Swiss pilot Raphael Domjan got within around a thousand metres of setting a new altitude record in a solar-powered plane on Sunday as he chases the goal of breaking the 10,000 metres barrier. Self-described eco-explorer Domjan flew the SolarStratos electric plane to an altitude of 8,224 metres in a flight lasting around four and a half hours, his team told reporters, after he landed back at Sion airport in southwestern Switzerland. The current altitude record for a solar plane stands at 9,235 metres, set in 2010 by the Solar Impulse experimental aeroplane, flown by Swiss pilot Andre Borschberg. Domjan is aiming to get to 10,000 metres or beyond -- flying at the same altitude as airliners. A warm-up flight on July 31 got to 6,589 metres -- the highest-ever for SolarStratos. AFP | Nalini LEPETIT-CHELLA, Paz PIZARRO And an attempt on Friday was cut short when the rising warm air thermals needed to boost the ascent failed to materialise, with Domjan turning back to preserve the charge in the batteries for Sunday, when the conditions looked more promising. Sunday's second attempt of the season set a new high altitude best for the two-seater SolarStratos, which has high-spec solar panels covering its huge 24.8-metre wingspan. The slow-charging plane will be left out in the sun to get the batteries back up to 100 percent for the next attempt. "To be a pioneer, an adventurer, it means trying something you are not sure will succeed," Domjan told AFP on Friday. "We'll try and try until we go to 10,000 metres.
The Sun
8 hours ago
- The Sun
Swiss pilot nears solar plane altitude record with 8,224m flight
GENEVA: Swiss pilot Raphael Domjan came within approximately one thousand metres of setting a new altitude record for solar-powered aircraft during Sunday's test flight. The 53-year-old eco-explorer reached 8,224 metres in his SolarStratos electric plane during a four-and-a-half-hour journey before safely landing at Sion airport in southwestern Switzerland. This achievement brings Domjan closer to his ultimate goal of surpassing the 10,000 metre mark, matching the cruising altitude of commercial airliners. The current world record for solar-powered flight stands at 9,235 metres, set in 2010 by Swiss pilot Andre Borschberg aboard the experimental Solar Impulse aircraft. Domjan's recent flight eclipsed his previous SolarStratos benchmark of 6,589 metres achieved during a warm-up attempt on 31 July. Friday's scheduled attempt was aborted due to insufficient thermal conditions, with Domjan conserving battery power for Sunday's more favourable weather window. The two-seater SolarStratos aircraft features advanced solar cells across its 24.8-metre wingspan, requiring extended sun exposure to fully recharge its batteries between flights. 'Being a pioneer means attempting what might not succeed,' Domjan told AFP before Sunday's record attempt. The determined aviator emphasised the importance of demonstrating solar energy's potential through continued high-altitude testing. Ground crews will now prepare the aircraft for its next record attempt by maximising solar charging during daylight hours. Domjan remains committed to pushing boundaries in sustainable aviation, stating his intention to repeatedly attempt the 10,000 metre milestone until successful. The SolarStratos project aims to showcase electric aviation's capabilities while promoting renewable energy solutions in transportation. – AFP
News.com.au
9 hours ago
- Science
- News.com.au
Swiss pilot takes big step closer to solar plane altitude record
Swiss pilot Raphael Domjan got within around a thousand metres of setting a new altitude record in a solar-powered plane on Sunday as he chases the goal of breaking the 10,000 metres barrier. Self-described eco-explorer Domjan, 53, flew the SolarStratos electric plane to an altitude of 8,224 metres in a flight lasting around four and a half hours, his team told reporters, after he landed back at Sion airport in southwestern Switzerland. The current altitude record for a solar plane stands at 9,235 metres, set in 2010 by the Solar Impulse experimental aeroplane, flown by Swiss pilot Andre Borschberg. Domjan is aiming to get to 10,000 metres or beyond -- flying at the same altitude as airliners. A warm-up flight on July 31 got to 6,589 metres -- the highest-ever for SolarStratos. And an attempt on Friday was cut short when the rising warm air thermals needed to boost the ascent failed to materialise, with Domjan turning back to preserve the charge in the batteries for Sunday, when the conditions looked more promising. Sunday's second attempt of the season set a new high altitude best for the two-seater SolarStratos, which has high-spec solar panels covering its huge 24.8-metre wingspan. The slow-charging plane will be left out in the sun to get the batteries back up to 100 percent for the next attempt. "To be a pioneer, an adventurer, it means trying something you are not sure will succeed," Domjan told AFP on Friday. "We'll try and try until we go to 10,000 metres. "It's important to demonstrate what we can achieve with solar energy, what we can do with electricity," he added. rjm-jj/gv
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Swiss pilot takes big step closer to solar plane altitude record
Swiss pilot Raphael Domjan got within around a thousand metres of setting a new altitude record in a solar-powered plane on Sunday as he chases the goal of breaking the 10,000 metres barrier. Self-described eco-explorer Domjan, 53, flew the SolarStratos electric plane to an altitude of 8,224 metres in a flight lasting around four and a half hours, his team told reporters, after he landed back at Sion airport in southwestern Switzerland. The current altitude record for a solar plane stands at 9,235 metres, set in 2010 by the Solar Impulse experimental aeroplane, flown by Swiss pilot Andre Borschberg. Domjan is aiming to get to 10,000 metres or beyond -- flying at the same altitude as airliners. A warm-up flight on July 31 got to 6,589 metres -- the highest-ever for SolarStratos. And an attempt on Friday was cut short when the rising warm air thermals needed to boost the ascent failed to materialise, with Domjan turning back to preserve the charge in the batteries for Sunday, when the conditions looked more promising. Sunday's second attempt of the season set a new high altitude best for the two-seater SolarStratos, which has high-spec solar panels covering its huge 24.8-metre wingspan. The slow-charging plane will be left out in the sun to get the batteries back up to 100 percent for the next attempt. "To be a pioneer, an adventurer, it means trying something you are not sure will succeed," Domjan told AFP on Friday. "We'll try and try until we go to 10,000 metres. "It's important to demonstrate what we can achieve with solar energy, what we can do with electricity," he added. rjm-jj/gv
NZ Herald
12 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Swiss pilot nears solar plane altitude record at 8224 metres
Swiss pilot Raphael Domjan is seen after his first attempt of the season at setting a new aviation record by reaching an altitude of 10,000 metres onboard the solar-powered plane SolarStratos at the Sion airport, in Sion, southwestern Switzerland. Photo / Fabrice Coffrini, AFP Swiss pilot Raphael Domjan got within around a thousand metres of setting a new altitude record in a solar-powered plane today as he chases the goal of breaking the 10,000m barrier. Self-described eco-explorer Domjan, 53, flew the SolarStratos electric plane to an altitude of 8224m in a flight lasting
