Team session at 3,000 meters
To round off a year marked by the altitude record achieved on August 12, what better way than to (re)gain some height? In mid-December, the entire SolarStratos team headed to Glacier 3000 in Les Diablerets for its annual brainstorming session. It was also an opportunity to carry out a site visit in preparation for the PlanetSolar Foundation fundraising gala (please note: initially scheduled for January 23, the event has been postponed). One thing is certain: Glacier 3000, completely refurbished after the September 2022 fire, will offer unforgettable moments to its guests. From the cable car ascent to 3,000 meters, to the rooftop, the breathtaking views from the Mario Botta restaurant, and the spectacular Peak Walk, the experience feels almost like a scene from a James Bond movie. Would you like to live this experience while supporting the Foundation’s work? Stay tuned — the new gala date will be announced shortly. In the meantime, here are a few photos to whet your appetite.
2025 opened the door to the stratosphere
During an intense and inspiring day of brainstorming, Raphaël Domjan’s entire team reviewed this extraordinary year. A chance — history in the making — to better project the next stages of the adventure and its ultimate goal: flying higher than commercial airliners, beyond the troposphere. The conclusion is clear: yes, with the August 12 flight, HB-SXA has opened the door to the stratosphere. The next steps are to select and secure new batteries offering — at last — higher energy density, integrate them into the cockpit, and define the parameters for an optimal flight to 12,000 or 13,000 meters, or even higher. Plenty to fuel lively discussions during the dinner that followed, bringing together designers, engineers, test pilots, glider pilots, airline pilots, as well as administrative, IT and communications staff, alongside Roland Loos and Raphaël Domjan.
SolarStratos featured on The Weather Channel: watch the report
The Weather Channel is one of the largest weather platforms in the world. So when such a giant — and an American one at that — takes an interest in the SolarStratos adventure, it gives us renewed motivation to promote solar energy, the energy transition, and a more sustainable world. The platform reaches several hundred million users every month and up to two billion devices worldwide (computers, smartphones, etc.). Not among them yet? That’s easily fixed: click the link below to watch the report and the remote interview with Raphaël Domjan. Don’t miss the short animation illustrating a chance encounter between a Lufthansa commercial flight and HB-SXA at 9,500 meters altitude !
Visit our online shop
and his flagship gift idea
For last-minute gifts — or at any time of the year — our online shop is full of great ideas in SolarStratos colors. The highlight: the mission watch, available in a very limited edition. From T-shirts and polos to jackets and Swiss Army knives, not forgetting the very cool cap, there is something for everyone — and every purchase supports our commitment to solar energy and a decarbonized world.
“Chasing the Dream”: the film takes off on TV
“Chasing the Dream”, the documentary by Stéphane Chopard retracing the SolarStratos mission and the record-breaking flight of August 12, took to the air on TV channels on December 3. Part I, “The Birth of a Dream”, was broadcast as an introduction, followed by Part II featuring spectacular images of flights over the Alps. The film was, of course, screened and enthusiastically received during the team session at altitude. The next broadcast is scheduled on RTS. The exact date is not yet known, but according to the filmmaker, the two completed parts will be aired together — allowing viewers to relive the entire adventure from the very beginning.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
AND A BRIGHT 2026!
This year, a very special member of the SolarStratos adventure sends you — on behalf of the entire team — warm holiday wishes and a radiant 2026. Young Tahia, who occasionally spends a day at the SolarStratos offices, has not yet flown with Raphaël Domjan — at least for now. But in this photo by Nadia Keller, it’s clear she is already a fan and would not say no. So in 2026, let’s all show our claws and put an end to fossil fuels once and for all.
