Since 18 July, our solar-powered electric aircraft has been based at Sion Airport, in preparation for this summer’s world premiere attempt at 10,000 metres over the Alps.
After this transfer flight from Payerne, HB-SXA has already flown over the Matterhorn, then Verbier and Mont Fort in particular, to check the plane’s performance in thermals. These development flights in preparation for the imminent altitude record attempt are continuing. Follow us and experience these sorties with us via our virtual cockpit and on our social networks. It’s exhilarating! You can relive the Payerne-Sion flight over the Col de Sanetsch here. Many thanks to Sion Airport and Alpark for their warm welcome, and a sunny summer to all.
HB-SXA to head to Sion to take up residence
“This time, the real adventure begins”. Both Raphaël Domjan and Roland Loos, respectively pilot and CEO of the mission, have spoken the exact same words on two different occasions. And as summer 2024 heats up, the moment for HB-SXA to take up residence in Sion approaches. This will be a key moment in the SolarStratos mission.
From mid-July, the SolarStratos team will be based at the Valais airport to launch a new altitude record attempt for a manned solar-powered electric aircraft to fly at 10,000 metres or more, marking a new milestone on the journey to the stratosphere. Once the plane is on the tarmac in Sion, and the final tests have been carried out, particularly in thermal winds, the team will go on standby for the right weather window.
Stay tuned if you want to spend the summer flying over the Alps: you can put yourself in the driving seat via our virtual cockpit.
A postponement…
Despite seemingly favourable weather conditions on the ground, the flight from Payerne to Sion scheduled for the 17 and then the 18 June had to be postponed. The wind and turbulence over the Sanetsch Pass were too strong to risk it. Our thanks to the media who were waiting for us in Sion for their patience. Some of them, such as Rhône FM, didn’t miss an opportunity to interview Raphaël Domjan about the relocation and the upcoming record attempt.
Already very high – above his hometown!
One of Raphaël Domjan’s recent flights this month saw him soaring at almost 4,000 metres over his native Neuchâtel. He shared his excitement at realising a dream, which sees “innovation and technology working together to preserve our planet”. The SolarStratos pilot took the opportunity to thank all those who are making this adventure possible by sharing his pioneering and exploratory spirit. “Let’s keep aiming for the stars, fuelled by the inexhaustible energy of our dreams, the sun and our thirst for exploration”. Beautifully put.
SolarStratos shines in France
SolarStratos is causing a stir among the French media. The imminent altitude record attempt has been announced by several French TV channels and newspapers. Raphaël Domjan appeared on the set of France 5’s “C à vous vous”, just after Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, with whom he exchanged a handshake and a few words before inviting the politician to come and fly with him one day. France Inter and the major daily Le Parisien have also highlighted the challenge scheduled for July 2024. In Switzerland, l’Agefi’s Be to B programme is also covering our adventure.
A breath of fresh air in freefall!
Flying at high altitudes where oxygen is scarce requires special measures and safety precautions. On 12 June, Raphaël Domjan tested his complete oxygen system in freefall, in case he ever has to eject from HB-SXA. He completed three jumps from an altitude of 3,000m accompanied by his trainer Geraldine Fassnacht, and everything went perfectly. The tests produced some stunning shots which we’d like to share with you!
A first-rate team
The traditional SolarStratos team photo was taken by Fred Merz on 17 June. Our photographer wanted to highlight the members of the mission in the foreground, and you can see them united around a shared passion: the HB-SXA at its home base in Payerne. Next stop: Sion. Onwards and upwards!
Back in the air
SolarStratos was back in the air in May for a second round of test flights in 2024 ahead of the 10,000m record attempt scheduled for the summer in Valais. Some essential tests were ticked off, Raphaël Domjan was delighted to get back in the driving seat of HB-SXA, and test pilot Gérald Ducoin flew the aircraft up to 3,300m (10,000ft) during a 75-minute flight, successfully completing all planned tests. Everything is in place to move the plane to Sion in June ahead of an attempt from mid-July to set a record for the highest altitude reached by a manned electric and solar aircraft. Stay tuned!
Free-fall test
In another crucial step forward, Raphaël Domjan successfully tested our free-fall oxygen systems at RealFly Sion. We’d like to extend our thanks to the entire technical team, and of course to LD Switzerland helmets.
Take off into the future
The Avions écolo, décollage vers le futur (Eco planes, take off into the future) documentary was released on May 15 and broadcast on RTS. Over five minutes of the programme are dedicated to our mission, including images of Raphaël Domjan and Prince Albert of Monaco’s flight in a Pipistrel – the first by a head of state in an electric plane. The German national channel SRF will be broadcasting a shorter version in June, and the show will also air on Spanish and Swedish TV. On June 18, ARTE will broadcast it at 20:15 in Germany and 20:45 in France. Peter Bardehle has captured the essence of our mission and we extend our thanks to him for working with us to promote a more sustainable world.
Elysée Palace reception
Jean-François Clervoy was awarded the rank of Commandeur de la Légion d’Honneur by French President Emmanuel Macron this month and Raphaël Domjan – a friend of the astronaut – was at his side for the occasion. He shared the wonderful moment across social media with this beautiful photo.
Spring cleaning
We had announced ‘operation spring clean’ and on Tuesday May 21, it happened! HB-SXA was given a thorough polish in the hangar at the home base in Payerne. Not only does this make the fuselage shine, but it makes for a smoother ride. Who would have thought!
‘The Birth of a Dream’ screened in Holland
The second round of training flights is underway and in a few weeks’ time, HB-SXA will leave Payerne for Valais, the location for this summer’s altitude record attempt. Meanwhile, SolarStratos continues to play its role as a platform for raising awareness and promoting a low-carbon world, this time in Holland at Anheim Electricity Week (25-31 May), where visitors will get a chance to watch the documentary ‘The Birth of a Dream’ that retraces the team’s pioneering adventure.
The title of this event really appealed to us: “Discover watts next in electricity”!
Watch the trailer of ‘The Birth of a Dream’ here :
A patron who will put stars in their eyes
Onwards and upwards young people! When you have your head (and a mission) in the stars, supporting a project that promises to put a twinkle in the eyes of children is a no-brainer. Raphaël Domjan, SolarStratos pilot and founder, has become the enthusiastic patron of the Maison Pro Junior. This former children’s home on the mountain at Chaumont (NE), known as the Basel Home, is now dedicated to the environment, young people and families. SolarStratos plans to run an activity there dedicated to young visitors. Watch the video with Yanick Boillod, President of the association, and its patron here. Or listen to the audio on RTN. To support Pro Junior, please click here.
Stay tuned for the big spring clean…
Spring-cleaning is not usually something that makes the news, but then, when it comes to spring-cleaning an experimental aircraft designed to slice through the air as cleanly as possible, the operation is bound to arouse some curiosity, right?! Stay tuned for more news on this in a few weeks’ time, we’ll be bringing you a blow-by-blow report in a future newsletter and our plane will be shining brighter than ever. Long live spring!
SolarStratos makes a splash in Le Ô!
On 26 April, Patrick Fischer, a former presenter of TTC on RTS, wrote a glowing article for the Montagnes Neuchâteloises weekly publication Le Ô. His feature describing the progress made by the CSEM-developed ultralight solar modules and their many applications ran in the Eco-Eco section. One of these applications is of course on HB-SXA whose wings and tail are covered with the flexible cells by CSEM, a partner of the mission. Accompanied by a stunning photo of the aircraft, the article is sure to make a splash!
Successful first 2024 campaign
The first flight campaign of the year went without a hitch to the delight of the whole SolarStratos team who are looking forward to what will be a key year for the mission. “It feels great to be flying again,” said Jonathan Amez-Droz, SolarStratos energy systems engineer. And more so in view of the altitude record attempt, which is scheduled for the summer, in Sion. Reaching 10,000 metres and setting a record for the highest manned solar/electric aircraft in history is well within the capabilities of the aircraft and anticipation is building. All the more so in view of recent performance and the latest round of tests which were almost entirely successful.
HB-SXA: letters and numbers!
Five flights have been logged, the first of which were undertaken in winter conditions, bringing the total to 75, including one that lasted almost 90 minutes in very little sunshine. The aim of this round of test flights was to identify the best possible climbing speed using the least amount of energy. And the climb rate proved a pleasant surprise with the climbing speed turning out to be higher than calculated.
“There is every reason to be optimistic about the record”.
Considering the most recent flights, Jonathan Amez-Droz is optimistic. “We have every reason to be confident about the summer’s record attempt. Of course, a challenge like this is never a given, but the performance and all indications are positive.” And there is further good news: “Even with the new battery configuration, we were able to fly twice in one day, which demonstrates that the aircraft has retained its flexibility.” In short: we’re flying again! So, stay posted for our next round of flights in mid-April. Next time we will be aiming to fly higher than ever before in the skies above Payerne.
“An aerial view of Neuchâtel please!”
Some exchanges just happen, out of the blue, spontaneously, and they feel so good. An aerial image of Neuchâtel taken during one of the first test flights of the year and posted on Facebook caught the attention of the town hall and they posted a request by way of comment: “A photo of our town please!” No sooner said than done. The very next day, SolarStratos published a magnificent aerial photo taken from the cockpit. A gift offered with pleasure, and not just because Raphaël Domjan is from Neuchâtel! The town wrote back: “Grrrrrrreat!! We’ll share them right away!”
CSEM in the front row
SolarStratos recently welcomed the Centre Suisse d’électronique et de microtechnique (CSEM), the team’s photovoltaic partner, to Payerne, along with seventy or so guests invited to their ‘PV in motion’ workshop. The timing was perfect as the guests were able to watch our solar aircraft in flight from the Payerne Airport terrace before transferring to the SolarStratos base for a conference with mission pilot Raphaël Domjan.
Cindy and Michael, welcome on board!
The SolarStratos mission welcomed two new passengers at the beginning of the year with Michael Staehli joining as deputy flight director, supporting CEO Roland Loos, and Cindy Da Silva joining to strengthen the admin and marketing department. The whole team welcomes them!
More and more following the adventure!
The SolarStratos Instagram account has been launched and by Valentine’s Day, we had already welcomed 10,000 followers! It is a nice juxtaposition: this summer we will have at least 10,000 Instagrammers following our record attempt to fly at 10,000 m in an electric and solar-powered aircraft. If we include those that follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, online at www.solarstratos.com, and through our newsletters, then we have a nice little crowd of 50,000 supporters who have embarked on our mission for sustainability and to decarbonise society.
As we reach the end of the month, HB-SXA is ready for take-off for the preparatory flight campaign ahead of this summer’s 10,000 m challenge. We are just waiting for the weather, so stay tuned!
510 GW of renewable energy: electrifying!
Pilot and SolarStratos mission founder, Raphaël Domjan, was quick to share the breaking news at the beginning of February: “By 2023, 510 GW of new renewable energy production facilities were installed globally. That’s the equivalent output of around 100 nuclear power stations. In 2024, we should reach 750 GW of new renewable installations across the planet. We are on our way to decarbonising our civilisation. And at this rate, by 2050, over 60% of the energy consumed in the world will be solar generated.”
And SolarStratos is proving that flying will remain a possible and sustainable dream.
10,000 m: a challenge that requires oxygen
To reach the stratosphere, and this summer for the 10,000m altitude record attempt, our pilot will need to be equipped with an oxygen system. The equipment that Raphaël Domjan will be wearing has been developed in partnership with Julien Martinez from LD Switzerland helmets. It was tested in mid-February and has been given the all-clear for use. Breath-taking!
Special record: special badge
The last mission badge that the SolarStratos team wore was for the Paris Air Show expedition last June. As we kick off 2024, we are adorned with a new badge that will guide all our actions towards this summer’s goal: Mission 10,000 metres. We look forward to sharing this chapter of our adventure with you.
With the climate emergency so acute that people are tempted to put their head in the sand, SolarStratos is approaching 2024 more determined than ever. Our mission this year is to set a record for the highest electric solar-powered flight in history. Everything is in place, both from a technological and administrative point of view, and with our permit to fly (PTF) secured, the whole team is looking forward to taking off again. Stay tuned, we are excited to share some new and memorable moments with you as the year unfolds. Welcome aboard for the next flight!
Payerne, 16 mai 2022.
Vol d’essai de l’avion SolarStratos au-dessus du lac de Neuchâtel.
©François Wavre | Lundi13
The Copernicus report is chilling
Copernicus confirmed on the 8 January that 2023 was the hottest year on record. ‘For at least 100,000 years’ according to the Observatory. The report also signalled a global temperature of 1.48°C more than average putting our world on the brink of the maximum + 1.5°C threshold envisaged in the Paris agreement. The ocean is suffering from record temperatures. And the highest concentration of greenhouse gases was recorded in the atmosphere. These are all chilling facts that make the SolarStratos mission all the more compelling. Living and flying on solar power means that people can embrace a sustainable low-carbon future today. Let’s act.
Press review 2023: We make solar energy shine
Beyond the challenge of flying to the stratosphere, SolarStratos aims to be a communications platform to raise awareness and promote solar energy. Our 2023 press review shows that the adventure is having an impact. By sharing the successes, records, and pitfalls, we are spreading our sustainability message far and wide. Through five press releases, 12 newsletters, hundreds of social media posts with a reach of up to 250,000 people, plus several dozen videos (347,000 views for the 2023 highlights on Facebook) and reels achieving up to 4.2 million views (16.5 million for 7 short reels), plus thousands of likes and comments of encouragement – we can continue to dream! Thank you for following us, thank you to our partners and sponsors for making this adventure possible, and to the world’s media for working with us to spread the word about a possible, sustainable future.
Completing the team
SolarStratos gathers around its founder Raphaël Domjan and its CEO Roland Loos a whole range of talented team members with skills that span technology, logistics, administration, events, communications, filmmaking, and more. At the dawn of a new year that promises plenty of action, we are recruiting to better face the challenges ahead, and we very much look forward to introducing you to our new team members.
2023 was an eventful year for SolarStratos – the solar electric aircraft spread the word about the potential for solar energy far and wide. Some of the highlights include Alyssa Carson’s visit, EBACE in Geneva where the mission was present with the 3 axis flight simulator, and the pioneer’s evening at the Paris Air Show. Not forgetting Prince Albert II of Monaco’s visit to Payerne after the summer break for another electric flight with Raphaël Domjan! HB-SXA has been further optimised this year (specifically the batteries and propellor) and is ready for take-off in 2024 to set the altitude record for a manned solar electric aircraft. We can’t wait! But for now, the whole team would like to wish you Happy Holidays!
Our 2023 highlights video is here!
The festive season is also a time for taking stock. And for SolarStratos that comes in the shape of a highlights video. Written by Stéphane Chopard – the filmmaker that is documenting this crazy adventure – the ‘2023 highlights’ is ready for you. You’ll see, it has been an exciting year for SolarStratos – the mission has dramatically demonstrated just how much solar energy can contribute to the transition to a low-carbon world.
And the title of best influencer goes to…
Alyssa Carson!
You’ll remember that she visited us at our home base in Payerne at the beginning of 2023. She tried the new flight simulator and flew in the electric plane over Swiss countryside blanketed in snow. Well… Alyssa Carson has just won ‘best science influencer in the USA’! The whole SolarStratos team congratulates @nasablueberry for this wonderful recognition of her commitment. Relive her visit to Switzerland here.
With our best wishes!
Roland Loos, Raphaël Domjan and the whole SolarStratos mission team would like to thank you for being part of and for following this incredible solar adventure. Thanks also to all our sponsors, partners and supporters who make this project possible. All our team wish you a Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with positive energy – solar energy! We look forward to reconnecting in January – it’s going to be a great year!
The sun is still shining brightly – a fact that warms the hearts of those – including the SolarStratos mission – who advocate for the intensive use of solar energy to ensure a low-carbon future for the planet. This need for change is heavily underlined by the new 2023 temperature records. The coming year will be crucial for the SolarStratos project. Achieving an altitude record for a manned solar-electric aircraft with HB-SXA is not only the final step before stratospheric flight, but it will send out a symbolic message that yes, we can continue to dream. To fly. Ever higher. And above all, without harming the planet.
Records that are cause for alarm
In Switzerland, September 2023 was the hottest since measurements began in 1864. June, July and August were the hottest months on earth. Temperatures in Switzerland in October also exceeded the average by 3.1°C, less extreme, but still notable – the average was 9.8°C compared to 10.4°C in October 2022. These results have propelled the planet to the top of the IPCC’s forecast range and the 1.5°C maximum warming limit set by the Paris Agreement is about to be exceeded. It’s time to go solar. Resolutely and urgently.
Senegalese sun
Roland Loos and Raphaël Domjan, respectively SolarStratos CEO and pilot-founder, have been active on other fronts. In November, they returned to Senegal on behalf of the PlanetSolar Foundation to check the Saint Louis solar power plant that opened in 2019 and – alongside the local authorities – to inaugurate the CIFOP vocational training centre for solar installers, a vocational school in Mboro. This mission was organised by Roland Loos – who is very committed to Senegal – in partnership with Jean-François Affolter. Bravo Messieurs.
Monegasque sun
Solar energy is not only our future, but the future of aviation. This was the message that Raphaël Domjan conveyed in Monaco this month at the World Connect by APG event. Monaco Matin and Nice Matin marked the occasion with comprehensive coverage of the ambitious PlanetSolar mission and Prince Albert II of Monaco’s support for the project, including the sovereign’s visit to us last September. Positive, energising feedback!
A shop that will make you shine!
Would you like to support us and help the widespread use of solar energy? Christmas is just around the corner and if you would like to shine with us and to make your loved ones shine, don’t hesitate to go online and order your festive gifts! From Swiss army knives to microdown jackets, caps and pens – there is something for everyone. Children’s clothes too – they are after all the future of humanity!
https://www.solarstratos.importexa.com/
To track the HB-SXA flights as closely as possible
As you know, on the www.solarstratos.com website, you can experience every moment of HB-SXA’s flights online via the virtual cockpit. Some seventy to date! The latest enhancement to our solar-electric aircraft involves telemetry. The new, more precise system will also enable us to stream not just one, but two of the Go-Pro cameras on board!
“From now on, we’ll be using UHF waves rather than 4G giving us much greater range, estimated up to 20km,” explained Jonathan Amez-Droz, an embedded systems engineer trained at HEIG-Vaud in Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland, with whom the system was developed.
A new antenna will be fitted to the underside of the aircraft, along with new electronics to manage communications. The whole team is looking forward to testing these new features on their next flight!
Click here for the virtual cockpit: www.solarstratos.com/livecockpit/
A SOL-AIR evening with highflyers
Our SOL-AIR event on Friday 6 October at the base in Payerne brought together a group of pioneering minds for a discussion on environmental challenges. Invited by Raphaël Domjan, Professor Christophe Baillif, Director of the Sustainable Energy Centre at CSEM, presented the latest innovative solutions to our partners, friends, explorers and committed politicians. His exceptional contribution impressed the high-profile audience, including politicians committed to a sustainable future, such as François Pointet and Jacqueline de Quattro. Jacqueline de Quattro was incidentally re-elected in the federal elections on 22 October: Bravo!
“An ode to exploration, innovation and collaboration”
There are evenings when the stars and the sun align to radiate innovation and the spirit of adventure and one such took place on Tuesday 3 October, when our partner Marti Arc Jura SA, its customers, partners, friends, and employees joined us in Payerne for a celebration. The exceptional event was led by company director Thierry Linder and Raphaël Domjan, whose presentation showed how to push back the boundaries of what is possible. The words of Marti Arc Jura SA on LinkedIn (https://urlz.fr/o8mf) spoke straight to our hearts: “This evening will remain engraved in our memories as an ode to exploration, innovation and collaboration”.
Thank you!
Looking for gift ideas? Check out our shop and the SolarStratos Club!
Are you looking for an original gift for loved ones, your family or even your colleagues?
Here are two options that will also support our stratospheric challenge:
1. Online shop: you can buy a SolarStratos pilot puffer jacket, solar accessories, and other items. There is also the book ‘Pionniers et aventuriers de l’énergie solaire’ (‘Solar Energy Pioneers and Adventurers’) by Raphaëlle Javet and Raphaël Domjan which is well worth a read!
2. The SolarStratos Club: treat yourself or your loved ones to the SolarStratos Club. Membership gives you access to special content and events, as well as the SolarStratos pilot jacket with mission badges and even customised with your name depending on the category you choose! Are you an aviation enthusiast, a lover of the environment or just curious? Join us on our adventure towards a solar-powered future!
👉 Visit our online shop
👉 Join our SolarStratos Club
