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.
The time has come for the first TV broadcast of Stéphane Chopard’s film about the record-breaking flight of August 12.
After the cinema premiere in Neuchâtel on November 20, and before next year’s festival screenings, the documentary is taking off on television this Wednesday, December 3, 2025.
“À la poursuite du rêve” will air at 9:53 p.m., right after “La naissance d’un rêve”, the first part of the documentary retracing the SolarStratos mission.
The film, co-produced by RSC Film Productions, Gédéon Programmes and Swiss Radio Television, is also expected to be shown on the Swiss national channel RTS2 this winter. The broadcast date is not yet known. We will keep you informed!
Chasing the dream… together!
November was a perfect reflection—quite literally—of this high-flying year. The exclusive screening of the documentary “Chasing the Dream” in a Neuchâtel cinema was a deeply emotional moment. Stéphane Chopard’s stunning images carried nearly 300 spectators up to 9,500 metres above the Alps. This journey retraces the suspense, hurdles, and challenges that had to be overcome to set this milestone on the path toward the stratosphere. Warm applause, followed by an engaging discussion with the audience—brilliantly led by Patrick Fischer, journalist and well-known RTS figure—filled us with positive energy and optimism to continue pursuing our shared dream: a more sustainable, solar-powered world. Are you also eager for what comes next? First stop: January 23 in Les Diablerets (see below) to experience verticality firsthand!
High up in the mountains…
our gala night awaits!
A unique experience of total immersion in human verticality… On January 23, 2026, join us high in the mountains! At more than 3,000 metres above sea level, between ice, sky, and stars, our gala night takes you on a journey from the depths of the oceans to the edge of space.
Come meet and exchange with explorers—from deep-sea adventurers to pioneers of distant space—and other inspiring personalities. By being there, you’ll support the projects of the PlanetSolar Foundation and our SolarStratos endeavours.
After an explorer’s aperitif at altitude, you will discover exclusive images, from Lake Titicaca to SolarStratos’ record-breaking flight. Only a few places remain—book yours now!
See you on Friday, January 23, 2026 at 17:00 at Glacier 3000, Switzerland. Reservations.
Record-breaking flight featured
in ELO and Les Explorateurs
The record-breaking flight of last August 12—confirming SolarStratos as the highest-flying solar-electric crewed aircraft in history—continues to make headlines around the world. It was recently featured in the Austrian mobility magazine ELO and, in France, in Les Explorateurs, the favourite magazine of young, nature-curious readers (Bayard Jeunesse, www.lesexplos.com).
Special Jury Prize
at the PVEI: the photos!
Like the cherry on top of our August 12 record flight, the Special Jury Prize at the 12th Vaud Prize for International Enterprises is a truly wonderful recognition—also celebrating this autumn’s successful first solar-powered circumnavigation of Lake Titicaca! Congratulations to fellow laureates Ecorobotix and Dubois Dépraz.
Here is a visual recap of the ceremony. Here’s the PVEI clip—watch or rewatch it here!
A spot has been airing since November 10th on the Canal Alpha channel, with the support of Viteos, a key player in the energy transition. In just 17 seconds, featuring images from the record-breaking flight above 9,500 meters on August 12th, it announces the exclusive and free avant-première – even before its TV and festival release! – of the documentary “In Pursuit of the Dream” by Stéphane Chopard. Event will take place at Cinéma des Arcades in Neuchâtel on Thursday, November 20th at 7:00 PM (doors open at 6:45 PM). Please note: registration by email at cds@solarstratos.com
After SolarStratos’ record-breaking flight on August 12th, reaching more than 9,500 meters above the Swiss Alps, Raphaël Domjan once again aimed high—this time aboard the PlanetSolar II. From September 30th to October 17th, he completed the first solar-powered boat circumnavigation of Lake Titicaca, at an altitude of 3,812 meters. This dual expedition spanned 500 km across Peru and Bolivia, combined with water quality testing of the lake. And just like with the HB-SXA flight, this remarkable journey on the world’s highest navigable lake was powered entirely by solar energy. A powerful symbol in the land of the Incas, who once worshipped Inti, their sun god! These achievements, widely covered by the media, are both inspiring and purposeful—promoting the energy transition. That mission was also at the heart of a roundtable discussion at the University of Neuchâtel, where Raphaël Domjan, freshly returned from Peru, joined experts to address the urgent need for climate action.
Ready for a solar-powered tour of our October highlights? Let’s go!
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“Chasing the Dream”:
Exclusive Preview!
Save the date! The second part of the documentary on the SolarStratos mission, “Chasing the Dream,” will premiere on 20 November at Cinéma des Arcades in Neuchâtel. It revisits the record-setting flight of 12 August, featuring never-before-seen footage. This exclusive preview comes before the Stéphane Chopard film airs on television.
The screening will be attended by the director, Raphaël Domjan, and his team. Doors open at 18:45, mission presentation at 19:00, screening at 19:30, followed by a Q&A.
Please register at cds@solarstratos.com. Seats will be allocated in the order requests are received.
SolarStratos on the Cover of Info-Pilote
Yes, the dream of SolarStratos—to fly on solar energy all the way to the stratosphere—is getting closer than ever. “From Dream to Reality” is, fittingly, the cover story of this month’s Info-Pilote magazine. The entire team joins Raphaël Domjan in thanking Jean-Marie Urlacher and his editorial staff for this wonderful feature that shines a light on our adventure, complete with a stunning photo by Francis Demange—worthy of the cover on its own! We share this recognition with all our friends and partners, including Longines Watch Co., Bordier & Cie Private Bankers, Bitcoin Suisse, and many others.
Discover it at: www.info-pilote.fr.
Milestones Reached
A record flight is a moment to celebrate—but also a time to reflect on the many challenges we’ve overcome. Do you remember the “flutter tests” carried out by ONERA, the French aerospace research center? “Flutter” refers to the point when aerodynamic forces and the aircraft’s structure resonate, potentially causing destructive vibrations! Our scientific and technical partner put the HB-SXA to the test on the ground—literally making it vibrate to its limits. These innovative testing and data analysis methods made it possible to calculate the flutter threshold, ensuring safe flight operations. Watch the video with images of our documentarian Stéphane Chopard.
Climate SOS: a high-flying round table
How can we inspire change in the face of the climate emergency? With this title, the October 22 round table aimed to be inspiring — and it delivered, thanks to an exceptional lineup: Dr. Bertrand Kiefer, former editor-in-chief of the Revue Médicale Suisse and president of Médecine et Hygiène, who offered a deep reflection on human vulnerability in the context of climate challenges; “our” Raphaël Domjan, pioneer of solar energy, who came “home” to share his journey and his fight for solar power through innovation and his groundbreaking projects; and climatologist Martine Rebetez.
They captivated the audience under the moderation of journalist Vicky Huguelet, inspiring everyone to change their habits — to protect the biosphere and the climate.
Many thanks to Viteos, a long-standing partner, and to the City of Neuchâtel for their support of this event at the University of Neuchâtel.
France TV Sport: Record Flight on TikTok
The preparatory flights and the August 12th record have circled the globe – literally and digitally! France TV Sport featured SolarStratos widely on social media, including Instagram and TikTok. Their 2’24’’ video connects Raphaël Domjan’s latest feat with his first great adventure – the world’s first solar-powered circumnavigation with PlanetSolar—highlighting this Swiss pioneer reaching for the stars… on solar energy! Watch it here.
PVEI: SolarStratos Wins Jury’s Special Prize
The 12th Vaud International Business Awards (PVEI) ceremony took place on October 28th at IMD in Lausanne, celebrating three outstanding companies active in the Canton of Vaud and beyond. Presented by the Department of Economy and Innovation (DEIEP), the Vaud Chamber of Commerce (CVCI), and Innovaud, the 2025 awards went to: Ecorobotix, for AI-based agricultural technologies, Dubois Dépraz, for innovation in high-end watchmaking, SolarStratos, which received the Jury’s Special Prize for its promotion of solar energy and energy efficiency.
A Record That Gives You Wings
Flying solely on solar energy at over 9,500 meters… Crossing paths with a commercial airliner… Seeing the Alps and their climate-worn glaciers from above… Showcasing the immense global potential of solar energy… What could be more exhilarating—or more energizing? Yes, the sun offers us everything we need to decarbonize the world. Here’s a glimpse at our solar news this September 2025, a month that even saw Raphaël Domjan named among the new Tintins!
The Homebase Shined Like Never Before
What an atmosphere—and in full sunshine, no less!—at the celebration of the record-breaking flight. On September 19, friends, partners, and sponsors gathered at our Payerne homebase to celebrate, with our entire team, the incredible flight over the Alps on August 13. A beautiful video by Stéphane Chopard allowed nearly 100 people to relive the experience—complete with moving footage of Raphaël Domjan’s jubilation from inside the cockpit—aan achievement that made HB-SXA the highest-flying manned electric solar airplane in history. And this is just the beginning!
(Re)watch the video:
Cherry on the Cockpit: RAI’s Grand Format
Topping off the August 19 celebration was the broadcast of Grand Format on RAI News. The Italian national channel came to Sion to film this report by Sonia Grande, focusing on the historic flight of August 12 and the SolarStratos mission. Watch here.
A 4’43’’ video that lets you relive the excitement of this challenge. France TV Sports also aired a video. And on the other side of the world, Le Journal de Montréal published a very detailed infographic. What fantastic promotion for solar energy, electric mobility, and a more sustainable world!
If Raphaël Is Tintin… Who’s Our Professor Calculus?
A childhood dream come true for Raphaël Domjan, who was visibly moved to be named among today’s “Tintins”: “It’s an immense honor to be featured in ‘Who Are the Tintins of Today?’ alongside such incredible adventurers.” To the despair of his parents and teachers, Tintin comics were the only books he read with passion!
“Thank you, dear Tintin, for passing on your spirit and love of adventure,” says the founder and pilot of SolarStratos. “Tintin: The Spirit of Adventure” has been on sale since September 17. And if Raphaël is Tintin… who’s our Professor Calculus? Our Bianca Castafiore? Our Seraphin Lampion? Our Nestor? Captain Haddock? Send us your suggestions!
First High-Altitude Mission on Lake Titicaca
And since we clearly love altitude, we can’t resist mentioning a new first: a mission beginning right now on the world’s highest navigable lake—Lake Titicaca at 4,000 meters above sea level. Aboard PlanetSolar II and accompanied by scientists like Xavier Lazzaro, Raphaël Domjan is attempting the first circumnavigation of Lake Titicaca, explored nearly 50 years ago by Commander Cousteau’s Calypso. Follow the adventure on PlanetSolar Foundation’s social media and at www.planetsolar.org. And give a look on our interactive map ! .
On June 23, a spectacular showcase of clean mobility took place at Swiss Aeropole in Payerne — both on the tarmac and in the skies! An electric semi-truck from our partner Planzer drove alongside our solar-powered aircraft, SolarStratos, piloted by Raphaël Domjan. It was a bold performance challenge, aimed at raising awareness about the importance of solar and sustainable mobility for the planet.We already shared a video from that unforgettable day (watch it here : h ttps://vimeo.com/1097477338).
Now, Planzer has released their own film — incredibly inspiring and guaranteed to give you chills. One thing’s for sure: with Planzer and SolarStratos, the pioneer spirit truly takes flight!
The full report on the our partner’s website.
The Record-Breaking Flight of August 12 is Making Global Headlines
On August 12, 2025, SolarStratos turned a new page in aviation history. Taking off from Sion, Raphaël Domjan and the solar-electric aircraft HB-SXA soared to an altitude of over 9,500 meters, setting a new record for the highest manned solar-powered electric flight ever achieved. This milestone crowns years of preparation and more than a hundred test flights. The achievement has captured international attention—and the impact continues to spread across the globe.
It’s a fitting reward for all the effort, and we are thrilled to share the joy of this moment with our friends, partners, and sponsors—led by our main partner Longines, with Bordier & Cie and Bitcoin Suisse AG. Without them, without you, without Roland Loos, our CTO and tireless supporter, and without the passionate team behind this mission, this feat would never have been possible. Thank you for flying with us. Thank you for helping us promote a solar-electric, decarbonized world—where dreams still take flight, and the vision of Icarus can finally be realized, sustainably.
Timeline of a Triumph—Topped with Raclette
On July 31, the eve of Switzerland’s National Day, SolarStratos climbed to 21,618 feet (6,589 m) above the Swiss Alps and the Matterhorn—a new record for the aircraft. On August 8 and then again on August 10, HB-SXA broke its own record twice, reaching 8,377 meters—flights already picked up by international media, including the front page of the Financial Times Weekend. Then, on Tuesday, August 12, in a historic flight lasting 5 hours and 9 minutes, powered by sunlight and rising thermals, Raphaël Domjan climbed above 9,500 meters, surpassing Solar Impulse’s 9,235-meter milestone.
“We did it!”. The flight is now being submitted for official certification by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), which will validate the final altitude corrected to ISA standard atmosphere. A moment of high emotion for the whole team—celebrated the Swiss way, over a well-deserved raclette!
“I Crossed Paths with a Commercial Airliner”
During the record-breaking flight, Domjan experienced an unforgettable moment: “Up there, I crossed paths with a commercial airliner flying at FL300. When air traffic control informed the crew I was a solar plane, I wish I could have seen their reaction! They didn’t respond… But for me, it was pure magic.” A scene symbolic of SolarStratos’ message: Solar energy can take us as high as airliners— and even higher. Beyond where fossil fuels can burn, solar energy keeps electric motors running.
Jubilation in Motion
To relive and share the jubilation of this flight, filmmaker Stéphane Chopard has created a video montage, released earlier this week—and we’re proud to share it with you here. We hope it sends shivers down your spine, as it did ours.
Teamwork and Team Spirit
This record was the product of extraordinary teamwork. From Cindy da Silva to intern Hugo Peyrot, from General Michaël Stähli to test pilot Gérald Ducoin, everyone played a vital role. Engineer and pilot Jean-Baptiste Loiselet, ever humble, made a crucial contribution: “My modest role was to scout the route with my motorglider just before HB-SXA’s flight, using my experience with the Sol.Ex to help chart an optimal path.” He also salutes his colleagues at the Mission Control Center, who monitored everything in real time—from solar input to energy consumption—as well as local soaring expert Gabriel Cachin and the rest of the team: Roland Loos, Nadia Keller, Stéphane Chopard, Giovanni Sammali, Olivier de Sybourg, Alexis Domjan, our test pilot Gérald Ducoin and many others who supported the pilot, founder, and driving force of this mission—Raphaël Domjan, a man with more than one trip around the world under his belt.
From Montréal to Tahiti – Via the Financial Times
Immersed in the project, focused on success, and confident in its impact, we were still taken aback by the scale of the reaction. Stunned, even. Media from across the world picked up the story. As we had hoped, HB-SXA becoming the highest-flying electric solar aircraft in history left a powerful impression. The earlier record attempts had already paved the way—especially with the iconic photo of HB-SXA flying in front of the Matterhorn, featured on the cover of the Financial Times Weekend. Never before have so many TV stations covered SolarStratos: BFM-TV, France24, GB News, and of course RTS—with RAI soon to follow after filming a segment in Sion. Thank you to all the media outlets for your support and interest.
THANK YOU!
To the friends and members of the SolarStratos Club, to our partners and sponsors for their unwavering support, to our families—and of course to:
The Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation for their trust,
Calin Gologan of Elektra Solar, the visionary designer of this unique aircraft,
Skyguide and the Swiss Air Force for opening the skies,
The Sion Airport, Alpark, and Swiss Aeropole in Payerne,
And to all those who support and carry our message of hope forward…
Raphaël Domjan and the entire SolarStratos team send you the sunniest of THANK YOUs!
On Tuesday, August 12, 2025, from Sion Airport in Switzerland, eco-explorer Raphaël Domjan piloted the HB-SXA aircraft to an altitude of 9,521 meters above the Valais Alps — the highest flight ever achieved by a manned electric and solar-powered plane. It’s higher than Solar Impulse record (9235 m).
This historic 5-hour-and-9-minute flight, powered entirely by solar energy and supported by thermal updrafts, marks a major step forward toward a more sustainable future. At cruising altitude, Domjan even crossed paths with a commercial airliner — a powerful symbol of what the decarbonised aviation of tomorrow might look like.
The official validation of the altitude is currently under review by the FAI (Fédération Aéronautique Internationale), in accordance with its altitude standards.
A moment of great pride and emotion for the entire SolarStratos team — fittingly celebrated with a well-deserved raclette!
On the eve of August 1st, the SolarStratos mission achieved a highly successful preparatory flight. Despite less-than-ideal conditions on Thursday, July 31, 2025—particularly in terms of thermal updrafts—Raphaël Domjan completed a 2-hour and 31-minute flight from Sion over the Alps, reaching an altitude of 6,589 meters, the highest ever attained by HB-SXA. This performance surpasses that of Klaus Ohlmann (6,376 m), making SolarStratos now the second-highest manned solar-powered aircraft in history. The entire team, with the necessary authorization in hand, is now ready and waiting for a favorable weather window to attempt the 10,000-meter altitude record over the Swiss Alps, which would surpass SolarImpulse (9,235 m). It’s also worth noting that HB-SXA crossed the 100-flight-hour mark on July 31.
