The PlanetSolar Foundation is sailing high, very high, with the ongoing expedition on Lake Titicaca. Powered by solar energy. At the same time, it is following the progress of the SolarStratos mission. Which, in turn, is flying high, very high, on solar energy alone. And on Tuesday, August 12, from Sion Airport, eco-explorer Raphaël Domjan (founder of PlanetSolar) made HB-SXA the highest manned electric and solar-powered aircraft in history! He reached an altitude of 9,521 meters above the Valais Alps, surpassing the previous Solar Impulse record (9,235 m). A feat that made headlines around the world.
This historic 5h09 flight, powered by solar energy and thermal updrafts, marks a major step towards a more sustainable world. Up there, Raphaël Domjan even crossed paths with a commercial airliner — a powerful symbol for the decarbonized aviation of the future.
The PlanetSolar Foundation, proud and delighted by this achievement, congratulates the entire SolarStratos team, who celebrated this great moment with a traditional Swiss raclette!
The record is now in the process of being certified by the FAI, which will validate the corrected altitude according to its standards.
More information and especially the video to relive the record flight in the August SolarStratos newsletter, just released.
