EBACE 2023: our simulator gave its pilots wings!

The sun shone on the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition last week when our whole team put our mission to promote sustainable aviation in the spotlight at the Geneva event. As the first guest speaker at the opening ceremony Raphaël Domjan set the tone, calling on the aviation industry to set an example: “If this sector, where decarbonisation is the most difficult, takes up the challenge, the message would be fantastic, no sector would be able to avoid it.”

But above all, SolarStratos shared the dream at the event, with the HB-SXA simulator on hand to give some lucky candidates the opportunity to experience the thrill of flying solar. Among them, 17-year-old Mack Rutherford – the youngest pilot to complete a solo around the world flight – and Erik Lindbergh, the grandson of Charles Lindbergh who completed the first solo transatlantic flight in 1927. The experience provided a ray of sunshine for the young pilots and was a great warm-up for the Paris Air Show which will take place at Le Bourget from 19-25 June where SolarStratos will be on site — and hopefully in the air too!

Massimo Fiorin flies over
Payerne – from Geneva!

“Incredible. Fantastic to be able to fly over the Payerne runway that I see every day from my office!” (editor’s note: this was said from the SolarStratos stand in Palexpo). Still at the controls of the simulator, Massimo Fiorin, Managing Director of swiss aeropole, expressed his enthusiasm: “SolarStratos gives those involved in aviation the confidence to tackle the challenges of the energy transition and find solutions, while at the same time attracting young people to careers in aeronautics. We can enjoy exciting, adrenalin-fuelled experiences. Like reaching the edge of space in a solar-powered aircraft that produces absolutely no pollution!”

Giovanni Russo:
“Flying like this is a real dream”

Giovanni Russo, Head of Operations at Geneva Airport, also enjoyed his experience on the flight simulator. “Excellent. Unheard of. A great feeling. Very smooth, it reminded me of a motor glider. It proves that we can switch from traditional fuel to solar and electric energy. It’s a benchmark for the future, for the decarbonisation of our industry and the legitimacy to continue to exist in this world. Having flown mainly internal combustion engines and motor gliders, to be able to fly independently and sustainably is a real dream!”

And the dream is already a reality, as Juergen Wiese, Chairman of the EBAA, highlighted: “Look at my smile! If you only dream, you’re just a dreamer. What you are doing with SolarStratos – already flying – is reality. You’re taking us forward and proving that aviation can reinvent itself!”

Live on EBACE TV

Of the many contributions made by our pilot and founder at EBACE 2023, you can watch the interview that he gave a couple of hours after his speech at the opening ceremony here on EBACE TV: https://youtu.be/GLuO83SsvuA

On Wednesday, Raphaël gave a talk at the Sustainability Theatre entitled ‘Take a Trip to the Stratosphere!’. Take a trip to the stratosphere powered by the sun. A reminder to the business aviation sector of its commitment, in 2009, to reduce its carbon emissions by 50% by 2050 in the face of climate change (BACCC).

Genesis and its all-electric range
teams up with SolarStratos

Genesis is joining the SolarStratos adventure as official automotive partner with its range of all-electric vehicles. Raphaël Domjan has the pleasure of driving a Genesis V60: “My first all-electric car. It’s very attractive, with impressive torque and power, while being silent and CO2 emission-free,” he said.
Piergiorgio Cecco, Head of Regional Operations at Genesis Motor Switzerland, said: “This collaboration represents a major step forward in our brand’s vision of a sustainable future.”

Wanted: multi-skilled mechanic!

Did you see the advert? Spread the word! There are still a few hours left to apply.

SolarStratos is looking for a multi-skilled mechanic to complete its team. Do you have practical training in mechanics? Are you flexible? Available and passionate about our eco-adventure? Apply, via the jobup platform only, until 2 June 2023. https://lnkd.in/eWAQAARU

On the evening of Monday 17 April the trailer carrying HB-SXA arrived in Payerne from our partner Elektra Solar in Germany.. The atmosphere around its arrival resembled that of a spy movie, the airplane passed through the security gate in the middle of the night and soundlessly crossed the tarmac before slipping into the SolarStratos home base which was lit up in welcome. In the hours that followed its arrival the plane was reunited with its wings and various other components, and emerged just in time for the partners’ evening with a new face – literally. HB-SXA is now ready to fly – without emissions – towards the challenges and records planned for 2023. Take off will happen as soon as all the technical modifications are approved by the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) and a new permit to fly is issued.

A new nose

Have you noticed the change? The new engine, its new larger propellor with improved variable pitch, and the new battery arrangement have changed the front of HB-SXA quite a bit. The plane has a new nose, and above all a new smile as the increase from six to eight batteries for the next altitude record require an increase in air supply for cooling purposes. Hence the larger opening at the front of the fuselage in the shape of a fish’s mouth. A new and friendlier look!

A partners’ evening and a boost

The SolarStratos partners were invited to the home base in Payerne on Wednesday 19 April for the much-anticipated partners’ evening. The gathering was an opportunity to present the latest technical modifications that will facilitate a first attempt at an altitude record this summer, plus the forthcoming events such as the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva in May and the Paris Air Show in June. The plane’s new face did not go unnoticed!
During the evening guests were invited to express in a few words what they think the strength of the project is. Their answers, which gave the whole team a boost, can be found online on LinkedIn: here and here and Facebook.

Support for the climate bill

During the partners’ evening, Raphaël Domjan informed the sponsors of SolarStratos’ support for the Climate Law that will be put to a popular vote on 18 June. “An electric and solar aircraft project, which aims to be a platform for promoting solar energy and sustainability, must support Switzerland’s ambition to achieve climate neutrality by 2050,” he said.

Paris Air Show:
scouting in Le Bourget

The International Paris Air Show is a mega-event. And as you know, SolarStratos has the opportunity to feature among the giants of aeronautics with its small electric and solar aircraft from the 19 to 25 June. There are even plans for an exhibition flight over the ‘City of Light’, weather conditions permitting. The event which creates a city of 20,000 inhabitants for over 300,000 visitors and 3,000 journalists, requires a great deal of preparation. On 17 April, our Marketing and Events Manager, Jennifer Uldry, travelled to Paris for the exhibitors’ day along with Coralie Jugan, our press officer in France. We aim to shine and look forward to welcoming you in June. But before that, don’t miss SolarStratos at the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition at Geneva-Palexpo from 23 to 25 May – come and try our simulator! We look forward to welcoming you onboard.

Watch the video released this weekend to relive the incredible days spent with Alyssa Carson discovering Solarstratos in Switzerland.

At 21, Alyssa is an astrobiology student, speaker, businesswoman and celebrity influencer with over 501,000 followers on Instagram and 204,000 on Facebook, all while training to become a professional astronaut.

She shares her journey and experience while delivering a powerful message of hope for a greener future in the sky.

Thank you, Alyssa.

As 2022 draws to a close, although the climate situation is serious, it is a time to celebrate. The oppressive shadow of global warming and the energy crisis make the SolarStratos adventure all the more legitimate. The challenge of flying ever higher in an electric and solar aircraft makes the SolarStratos project a powerful promotional platform and a vehicle for change. The mission aspires to playing a decisive and driving role in the necessary shift to solar energy. Because after all, the greatest gift in the world is the sun, its infinite energy available to everyone. We can’t compete with such a gift, but we can promote and share it with a maximum amount of people! Our last newsletter of the year comes with a few gifts to brighten up these end-of-year celebrations, and the entire SolarStratos team wishes you a radiant festive season!

The challenges of reaching higher in 2023

You lived our adventures alongside us, so you will recall some of our 2022 highlights, including a record setting world premiere wingsuit jump from an electric and solar powered aircraft in June in Verbier! This was preceded by a first inter-city flight in May between Payerne and La Chaux-de-Fonds, and of course the Ground Vibration Test conducted by the Office National d’Etudes et de Recherches Aérospatiales (the French national aerospace research centre), a SolarStratos partner since 2020. In total, we conducted 22 new flights, notching up 14 hours and 18 minutes in the air. And every outing allowed us to learn new lessons and to answer technical questions. Batteries, motor, the flutter effect, the variable pitch propellor – mastering each element is a challenge of its own. “Our challenge in 2023 will be among other things, to identify the best engine and battery adjustments to fly even better,” said Roland Loos, CEO of the mission. And above all, to fly higher. Ever higher. With you! And to demonstrate the potential of solar energy.

When a team outing gives you wings!

The end-of-year SolarStratos team outing brought 2022 to a fitting close with the whole team experiencing the magic of flying, like a plane, but without wings! For their latest adventure, the team headed to Valais to the Realfly (https://realfly.ch/) free-fall simulator in Sion. Courtesy of the SolarStratos partner, team members got to experience the breath-taking sensation of hovering in the air in a flight chamber that was 4.35m in diameter and 14m high! You only have to take a look at the faces featured in the photos to see that this adventure was mind-blowing! Experiencing Icarus’ dream was truly amazing, and the memory is still fresh in our minds!

Some videos for under the Christmas tree!

If you like our videos, you can find three more under the Christmas tree in 2022! You’ve already seen the ‘team’s wishes for 2023’ video on our channels, but don’t miss the ‘2022 highlights’ by our videographer Stephane Chopard who has captured the high moments, the behind the scenes, and the emotions of the SolarStratos adventure. And finally, to set the scene for 2023, our partner Up To You has produced a ‘2022 epic moments’ video with their signature tempo! Enjoy!

Some gifts!

If you’re looking for some last-minute gift ideas, you are in luck! We have t-shirts, puffers, polo shirts, caps, pens, key rings, and Swiss army knives, all in SolarStratos colours with the mission logo. Take a look online at www.solarstratos.importexa.com. There’s plenty to choose from!

Paris Match: what an opportunity to raise awareness!

Among the clippings this year about our mission for a solar-powered world, several really stand out: Paris Match did a six-page portrait on Raphaël Domjan within their ‘Les héros de la planète’ (Heroes of our planet) series. You can watch the video that featured alongside the report here. Les Echos also featured a major report, to read it please click here. We extend our sincere thanks to the media, they play an important role in helping SolarStratos to fulfil its mission of promoting solar energy.

Our Christmas story: Bastien’s dream

“My children saw the solar airplane on 15 May in La Chaux-de-Fonds, and my eldest son completely fell under its spell. He was so disap pointed when he was told that SolarStratos was going home to Payerne! Since then, every time that he sees a plane, he asks me whether it’s the one that flies with the sun. I explain to him that if it is making a noise, then it cannot be the one.” Sheeba Ramseier’s story is symbolic of what a project like SolarStratos can convey, of the dreams of clean mobility and sustainability that it shares, even with the very youngest. And since it is Christmas, and to ensure that this tale has a happy ending, HB-SXZ dropped off a special package for Bastien to go under this Neuchâtel family’s Christmas tree.

Sunshine in October saw the successful completion of the 2022 test flights

After the summer’s record-breaking sunshine, October brought even more, allowing us to bring our 2022 test flight programme to a close. With the stratosphere the ultimate goal, each flight is a new challenge, and every test is carried out (batteries, variable pitch propellor, speed, vibration, etc.) to fine-tune, adjust, and modify the aircraft’s behaviour and to master the technical parameters. To find out all about our exciting month, fasten your seatbelts – it’s time for take-off!

In 2022 SolarStratos clocked 22 flights and 14 hours 18 minutes of flight time

In figures, here is a summary of the flights this year: Including the test flights, plus events such as the first wingsuit jump from an electric and solar aircraft in June in Verbier, and the first inter-city flight in May from Payerne to La Chaux-de-Fonds where the plane landed at 1,000 m of altitude, HB-SXA achieved 22 flights and 14 hours, 18 minutes of airtime. During the month of October, Raphaël Domjan and our test pilot Gérald Ducoin notched up a further five flights. Since the project launch, the team has achieved 68 flights.

New elements successfully tested

Two technical developments were signed off during the five test flights in October: The new battery configuration was successfully tested and approved by the Federal Office for Civil Aviation (FOCA) as required for aircraft modifications. And the new propellor was used in flight. In addition to the fact that it has variable pitch – which remains to be tested in flight – its diameter has increased from 1.75 m to 2 m. As the thrust of a propellor depends on the surface area of the blades, you can imagine that HB-SXA has gained in propulsion. Look out Stratosphere, here we come!

A Partner Evening that inspired

“What makes a project like SolarStratos so exciting is…”

This was the question put to guests at the Partner Evening hosted on 4 October at the SolarStratos base, and their answers were inspiring, and a great source of pride!

Excerpts:

• Thierry Linder, CEO Marti Arc Jura: “The challenges of this project make you dream. Plus, it demonstrates that we must change our behaviour, right away. Otherwise, we’re heading over a cliff edge!”
• Léo Udodove, Relationship Manager Bitcoin: “To be able to leave the atmosphere, and to leave the planet powered solely by solar energy is a dream! Everything becomes possible. Why not travel to Mars using solar energy? Solar energy allows for everything, all hopes, without limit!”
• Massimo Fiorin, Director of Swiss Aeropole Payerne: “The dream with this project is to show young people that we can fly with clean energy. And therefore, to continue to dream of flying. With SolarStratos, aviation is no longer dirty. The desire to fly is no longer shameful!”

As you can see, very inspiring…!
You can read more from our partners on our social media channels:
On LinkedIn: https://cutt.ly/cNjZSKX
On Facebook: https://cutt.ly/1NjCYSx

Limmattal Economic Forum

Raphaël Domjan was invited as a guest speaker to the Limmattal Economic Forum (WIPO 2022) on 20 October to present SolarStratos. Sitting next to Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, the HB-SXA pilot was able to discuss the mission with the Minister. “I am very happy to have had the chance to show him the extraordinary opportunity that solar energy represents for our future,” he said. Launched in 1999, WIPO welcomes around 800 participants from business, politics, and industry every year.

Écrans de l’aventure in Dijon: “As long as there are adventurer-explorers left”

Raphaël Domjan had the privilege of chairing the Écrans de l’aventure festival jury in Dijon from the 13-16 October. He was impressed by the quality of the subject-matter presented and the crowd gathered at the event. “It is a pleasure to see that adventure still makes the young and the not so young dream,” he said. Our president also expressed his delight with the prizes that were awarded along with his fellow jury members Bouchra Baibanou, mountaineer and lecturer, Florence Saugues, grand reporter, Antoine de Suremain, adventurer and director, and Philippe Lafaix, author and director. The 2022 Golden Fleece Award (Toison d’or) for Adventure Film went to Yukon, a white dream (un rêve blanc) by Mathieu Le Lay. The Ushuaïa TV / Les Écrans de l’aventure Prize went to Fly Monarca, directed by Benjamin Jordan and Lyndsay Nicole, a film about crossing the United States by paraglider. For the full list of awards, please click here: www.lesecransdelaventure.com

HB-SXA makes the media rounds

The Keystone-ATS agency joined us in Payerne on a test flight day and the base was transformed into a movie set with the aircraft as the star of the show! The resulting film poster-style photo, news release and video news report were picked up by key Swiss media. SolarStratos continues to have star power! To see the video (again), please click here: https://cutt.ly/UNlhr23

The holidays are over

The holidays are over, and SolarStratos is back to business. The team is reunited in Payerne and is preparing for new adventures and unlimited exploration! On the agenda for the next few weeks: a new round of test flights that will be carried out according to weather and technical constraints. Stay tuned!

Meanwhile, the SolarStratos Club members and friends enjoyed a get together on Friday 2 September at the HB-SXA base. Raphaël Domjan’s presentation was followed by a lively discussion on the progress of the project, aviation, and the climate.

Record sunshine: “Solar energy is our future”

The sun has also been breaking records this summer. Switzerland has experienced excessive sunshine throughout the country, recording between 110 and 130% above the average from 1991-2020. July was the sunniest month since records began in 1959 according to the Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology. Meteoswiss stations in the lowlands, northern Alps, and Valais measured over 300 hours of sunshine. “That’s as much as southern Spain,” said Raphaël Domjan.

These statistics are alarming in themselves, but they demonstrate the legitimacy of the SolarStratos eco-project. In the face of climate change, and gas and oil shortages, “solar energy is more than just a dream, it is our future. This record adds weight to our mission: beyond flying a solar aircraft, this project is a communication tool to demonstrate and promote the potential of solar energy.”

Vibration tests: HB-SXA shaken but not stirred!

A project like SolarStratos gives off good vibrations, but like all aircraft, it will be subject to the phenomenon known as ‘flutter’. Flutter is the effect of the aeroelastic coupling between the aerodynamic forces and the structure of the aircraft in flight. In other words, at a given speed, the aircraft goes into vibratory spasms that can intensify until it is destroyed. To simplify this further, flutter is to aviation what handlebar wobbles are to motorbikes or bicycles.

This summer, HB-SXA underwent the Ground Vibration Test (GVT) by the Office National d’Etudes et Recherches Aérospatiales, the French national aerospace research centre, and a SolarStratos partner since 2020. The importance of this test is highlighted by the fact that when the aircraft reaches the limits of the stratosphere, the scarcity of the air will force SolarStratos to fly much faster.

Please click here to watch the ‘flutter’ phenomenon.

A wingsuit premiere that “will make all generations dream”

In yet another SolarStratos world premiere, on the 18 June in Verbier, the solar aircraft piloted by eco-explorer Raphaël Domjan demonstrated its pioneering nature alongside ‘Lady Bird’, the extreme sportswoman Géraldine Fasnacht. The pair took off from Sion – the first-ever take off from the Canton of Valais – for the world’s first wingsuit jump from a solar and electric airplane. With innovative technology, risk management, and rigorous preparation, nothing was left to chance to achieve this extraordinary performance that delighted and astonished the large crowd gathered to watch!

“A magical moment!” said Géraldine Fasnacht, back on the ground again. “And a chance to fulfil a dream alongside SolarStratos. Exploration is unique and remains the best way to demonstrate what is possible,” she added, delighted.

Beyond the magic of the flight over the Valais Alps and the resort of Verbier, the stunt demonstrated the unlimited potential of solar energy. “With this pioneering spirit, SolarStratos is committed to making all generations dream of a cleaner and more environmentally friendly aviation, and world,” said Raphaël Domjan.

PlanetSolar runs aground – rescue is on the way

“It is 10 years since PlanetSolar was ours but hearing of its running aground south of Mumbai affected us greatly. Fortunately, there were no casualties. We have offered our modest support to the owner of the boat, and we wish him good luck in what is a very technical and complex rescue,” said Raphaël Domjan.

It was aboard this catamaran that he completed the first-ever solar-powered circumnavigation between September 2010 and May 2012. And even now, lessons have been learned: “We thought that if the batteries were submerged, they would have exploded, but they have not and there has been no pollution,” added the eco-explorer.

The latest news is that the boat, renamed Porrima and flying the Swiss flag, is currently being re-floated. “It should now be able to be towed to port for repairs,” said the former captain.

We’re keeping our fingers crossed.

Relive the historic wingsuit flight with professional extreme sportswoman Géraldine Fasnacht jumping out of the SolarStratos HB-SXA solar plane with Raphaël Domjan at the controls.

This performance, the result of intensive preparation, pioneering spirit, perfect risk management and innovative technology, aims to demonstrate the unlimited potential of renewable energies and solar energy. Through this demonstration, SolarStratos is committed to making all generations dream of a cleaner and more accessible aviation.

RTS report

Raphaël Domjan, pilot and founder of SolarStratos, and Géraldine Fasnacht, professional extreme sportswoman, achieved a multitude of world firsts on Saturday 18 June to the delight of the crowds gathered in Verbier, Switzerland. Among them, the first ever wingsuit jump from a solar aircraft!

Géraldine Fasnacht explained “Being able to fly over my favourite playground using solar power only was a magical moment! Having the chance to realise a dream with SolarStratos makes me happy and allows me to see that exploration is unique and remains the best way to demonstrate that it is possible! “

“Pushing the limits of what is possible is an inherent part of the SolarStratos adventure. In addition to our mission to reach the stratosphere for the first time in a solar aircraft, we are committed to inspiring future generations by demonstrating the potential of renewable energies through a pioneering spirit. To achieve this solar flight over the Alps and this world first with Géraldine is incredible. Thank you to all my team, our partners and all the people who have supported us for all these years”, said Raphaël Domjan at the end of the flight. 

A spectacular and unprecedented demonstration flight will be performed in Verbier. SolarStratos and Géraldine Fasnacht, well-known as the «bird woman» thanks to her spectacular base-jumpings from the highest peaks, will take up this new challenge together on Saturday, June 18.

Géraldine Fasnacht will board the SolarStratos HB-SXA solar aircraft piloted by raphael Domjan before jumping into the air. Their goal? To demonstrate the unlimited potential of natural, renewable energies to pursue the human being’s lifelong dream of flying in complete freedom. Through this exceptional demonstration, SolarStratos is committed to making present and future generations dream for a clean and accessible aviation!

We invite the public, amateur and passionate about sports, aviation and adrenaline-rich entertainment, to join us on June 18, 2022 at 8.45 am in the village of Verbier, parking Ermitage. For those who will be far from us, here is a link to follow the world premiere LIVE : https://www.solarstratos.com/live/

SolarStratos completes successful tests and demonstration flights at La-Chaux-de-Fonds!

The SolarStratos team had an exceptional weekend at the Journées de l’Aviation at Les Eplatures airport in La Chaux-de-Fonds on 13, 14 and 15 May.

Having monitored the weather closely and pinpointed a window of opportunity, SolarStratos took off from Payerne on the Friday with Axel Valat at the controls and Raphaël Domjan on board.

At Les Eplatures airport, the solar plane made history becoming the first solar aircraft to land in the canton of Neuchâtel. The landing was complex – on a more technical and shorter runway and at an altitude of over 1,000 metres – but smooth.

Saturday was marked by a demonstration flight above the airport with a spectacular parachute jump by SolarStratos’ Raphaël. This was our eco-explorer’s second freefall from an electric plane!

Sunday saw the solar aircraft return to the base in Payerne piloted by our test pilot, but with a special guest onboard. Roland Loos, our CEO flew solar for the first time and was able to witness first-hand the work accomplished so far by the technical team. A magnificent and well-deserved flight.

European Climate Summit 2022 in Barcelona: Raphaël’s conference

Our eco-explorer was invited to participate in the European Climate Summit 2022 in Barcelona, Spain, on the 24 May. He presented his vision of the future and outlined the SolarStratos mission to numerous experts and political decision-makers during a conference on the theme of ‘experimental ecology and optimistic solutions for a sustainable world’. It was a golden opportunity to highlight the potential of solar energy and electric mobility on land and in the air to today’s decision makers.

World premiere in Verbier

Between the 18 June and 1 July, as soon as weather conditions allow, the Valais resort will be the backdrop for a unique public event: a joint world premiere involving SolarStratos and Géraldine Fasnacht, a world renown freeride snowboarder, base jumper, and wingsuit pilot.

In a magnificent setting, at the heart of the village, a colourful air show will unfold. To learn more or for the exact date of this premiere, please stay tuned to our social media channels on Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – Linkedin: @SolarStratos and come and join us for this extraordinary moment!