Payerne, Switzerland, 23 July 2020 \u2013 Rapha\u00ebl Domjan and the SolarStratos team are delighted to announce that the SolarStratos test flights have resumed. The team\u2019s renewed activity will include a series of firsts that will culminate in 2021 with an attempt at high altitude flight powered exclusively by solar energy.<\/p>\n \u201cDespite the complex situation we are currently experiencing, we are in an extremely positive phase of our project,\u201d said Rapha\u00ebl Domjan, the mastermind and pilot behind the mission. \u201cIn recent weeks, all the pieces of the puzzle have come together and this morning, at long last, we flew again with our test pilot Miguel Iturmendi at the controls, and everything went smoothly.\u201d<\/p>\n To maximise on weather conditions, SolarStratos took off at 6:50 am. The aircraft soared effortlessly on its elegant new wings equipped with winglets at 800 metres above the Payerne aerodrome for twenty minutes before touching down again.<\/p>\n \u201cThe changes made in recent months have borne fruit,\u201d said Rapha\u00ebl Domjan. \u201cThe plane is more stable and reliable than during our first round of test flights. Today we are beginning a new chapter that will allow us to reach extraordinary goals, to make the public dream and to convey a positive message on the potential of solar energy to fight climate change.<\/p>\n The SolarStratos experimental project was launched in December 2016 and has undergone rigorous development over the years, gaining great experience at the cost of occasionally complex challenges, but without ever deviating from the ultimate objective. On July 6, 2018, the left wing of the aircraft was broken during a stress test at the team\u2019s base in Payerne, no one was injured, but the various procedures that resulted from the incident and the design of the new wings caused significant delay. Resuming the test flights was further delayed by the recent Covid-19 health crisis.<\/p>\n The SolarStratos operations team is on standby to continue the test flights scheduled for tomorrow weather-permitting, with the aim of extending the aircraft\u2019s flight range.<\/p>\n This exciting new phase of the project has attracted new partners, including the consulting company Segula, who will work on digital simulations, and the law firm NVB in Neuch\u00e2tel, who will manage any legal aspects relating to the eco-adventure.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are fortunate to benefit from loyal partners who completely understand that SolarStratos is a unique and sensitive experimental aircraft,\u201d said Roland Loos, the team CEO. \u201cThe pioneering spirit of this project means that we are breaking new ground in terms of technological challenges and it is thanks to the understanding and loyalty of our partners that we have been able to pursue this project.\u201d<\/p>\n The SolarStratos test pilots will take it in turns to fly while Rapha\u00ebl Domjan continues with his training to fly this unique aircraft. The first series of flights will be with a single pilot, after that two-handed flights will be scheduled, and the plane will gradually fly at a higher and higher altitude.<\/p>\n So, after a two-year (very active) hiatus, SolarStratos has at last taken off again and the whole team is delighted to share the next stage of the eco-adventure with the public.<\/p>\n Photos copyright Fred Merz \/ SolarStratos<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/solarstratos.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/115735227_3278675895533567_7441271037578352670_o-1-1.jpg\")
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