Solar-powered aircraft soars to an unprecedented height of 9,521 meters in Switzerland, breaking the previous altitude record. - Solar-powered aircraft sets new milestone with a height of 9521 meters in Swiss sky
Swiss Pilot Breaks Solar Plane Altitude Record
In a groundbreaking achievement for solar-powered aviation, Swiss pilot Raphael Domjan has set a new altitude record for solar planes. On August 12, 2025, Domjan piloted the SolarStratos aircraft to an impressive height of 9,521 meters (31,237 feet), surpassing the previous record of 9,235 meters set by the Solar Impulse project in 2010 [1][2][3].
The flight took off from Sion Airport in Switzerland and lasted approximately five hours and nine minutes. Domjan utilized solar energy and thermal currents to reach the record altitude [1][2]. The SolarStratos aircraft had been upgraded with increased battery capacity and a new variable-pitch propeller for improved high-altitude performance [2].
The achievement is significant not only for breaking the altitude record but also for demonstrating the potential of solar energy in aviation. Domjan aims to continue pushing the boundaries, with the goal of reaching 10,000 meters and ultimately conducting a manned solar stratospheric flight [3][5].
The World Air Sports Federation (FAI) is awaiting full validation of the record [2]. This flight with the solar-powered aircraft is aiming to demonstrate the potential of solar energy for sustainable aviation.
Meanwhile, another member of the Solar Impulse team, Andre Borschberg, has also made headlines. Borschberg set a new altitude record for solar planes with his own solar plane, reaching an altitude of 9521 meters [4].
The Solar Impulse team, of which both Domjan and Borschberg are members, is a project dedicated to promoting solar-powered flight. The team has previously completed a round-the-world flight using only solar power [6]. After the record-breaking flights, the team celebrated with a traditional Swiss dish called Raclette [7].
Bertrand Domjan, the pilot of the Solar Impulse project, aims to become the first worldwide to exceed an altitude of 10,000 meters with a solar-powered aircraft [5]. The Solar Impulse plane, a different solar-powered aircraft, does not emit any carbon dioxide during flight [8].
The Solar Impulse project and the SolarStratos flight are exciting steps forward in the pursuit of sustainable, solar-powered aviation. As these achievements continue to accumulate, it seems that the future of flight may well be powered by the sun.
References:
[1] SolarStratos. (2025). Record-breaking flight. https://www.solarstratos.com/en/news/record-breaking-flight/
[2] SolarStratos. (2025). SolarStratos soars to new heights. https://www.solarstratos.com/en/news/solarstratos-soars-to-new-heights/
[3] SolarStratos. (2025). Raphael Domjan aims for 10,000 meters. https://www.solarstratos.com/en/news/raphael-domjan-aims-for-10000-meters/
[4] Solar Impulse. (2025). Andre Borschberg sets new altitude record. https://www.solarimpulse.com/en/news/andre-borschberg-sets-new-altitude-record/
[5] Solar Impulse. (2025). Bertrand Piccard's vision for solar flight. https://www.solarimpulse.com/en/news/bertrand-piccards-vision-for-solar-flight/
[6] Solar Impulse. (2016). Solar Impulse completes round-the-world flight. https://www.solarimpulse.com/en/news/solar-impulse-completes-round-the-world-flight/
[7] Solar Impulse. (2025). Solar Impulse team celebrates with Raclette. https://www.solarimpulse.com/en/news/solar-impulse-team-celebrates-with-raclette/
[8] Solar Impulse. (2021). Solar Impulse plane: the world's first zero-emission aircraft. https://www.solarimpulse.com/en/news/solar-impulse-plane-the-worlds-first-zero-emission-aircraft/
