Swiss pilot Raphaƫl Domjan achieves historic 8,224-meter altitude in solar-powered aircraft from Sion airport, marking significant milestone in sustainable aviation.
"This attempt was not a simple copy and paste of the one made in the summer of 2024."
"A lot of work has been done, in particular with increased battery capacity and the new variable-pitch propeller, which is more efficient for high-altitude flights."
8,224 meters. That is the staggering new height reached by Swiss pilot Raphaƫl Domjan, marking a monumental leap forward for the SolarStratos project. On Sunday, the skies above Sion airport became the stage for an aviation masterclass as Domjan piloted the solar-electric aircraft HB-SXA to its highest-ever altitude. This is not just a flight; it is a declaration of capability.
For four and a half grueling hours, Domjan navigated the thin air, utilizing summer thermal currents to push the aircraft beyond its previous limitations. The achievement obliterates the team's former personal best of 6,589 meters, improving their ceiling by a massive margin of over 1,600 meters. While the world watched, the NeuchĆ¢tel native proved that solar aviation is not merely a conceptāit is a high-performance reality capable of scaling the Swiss Alps and piercing the upper atmosphere.
Success at 8,000 meters is not a matter of luck; it is a triumph of engineering precision. This record-breaking flight was powered by significant technical overhauls that distinguish the 2025 mission from previous attempts. "This attempt was not a simple copy and paste," Domjan asserted, silencing any critics who viewed the project as stagnant.
The aircraft has been transformed into a more lethal machine against gravity. The team integrated a new variable-pitch propeller, specifically designed to bite into the thin air of the upper troposphere with greater efficiency. Coupled with a drastically increased battery capacity, the HB-SXA had the endurance required to sustain the long, arduous climb. These modifications were critical. Without them, the 1,600-meter surge past the previous record would have been physically impossible. This flight serves as the ultimate validation for the SolarStratos engineering team, proving their innovations can withstand the harshest flight environments.
Despite the celebration, a shadow of unfinished business hangs over the runway at Sion. The world altitude record of 9,235 meters remains unbroken, and Domjan's ultimate target of 10,000 meters is still just out of reach. While the 8,224-meter achievement is a massive victory, the team fell short of the stratospheric milestone they had hunted.
The gap is narrowing, but the final 1,000 meters represent the most brutal challenge in aviation. The air is thinner, the cold is more intense, and the margin for error is non-existent. The SolarStratos team is now forced back to the drawing board, analyzing data to squeeze every ounce of performance out of the aircraft. They are not retreating; they are reloading. With the summer weather holding, another assault on the 10,000-meter barrier could be launched in the coming days. The hunt is far from over.
This flight is more than a number in a logbook; it is a beacon for the future of Swiss and global aviation. By pushing a solar-powered electric plane to altitudes usually reserved for commercial jets, SolarStratos is dismantling the argument that clean energy cannot deliver high performance. Switzerland continues to cement its reputation as the global epicenter for sustainable aviation innovation.
As the team prepares for their next attempt, the implications ripple far beyond the Valais Alps. Every meter gained is a step toward a world where flight does not come at the cost of the climate. The pressure is now on. With the technology proven and the pilot ready, the world waits with bated breath to see if Domjan can finally crack the 10,000-meter ceiling and rewrite the history books once and for all.