Key Takeaways
1. Swiss pilot Raphaël Domjan set a new altitude record of 9,521 meters for an all-electric aircraft powered by solar energy, surpassing the previous record of 9,235 meters.
2. The flight took place in the HB-SXA aircraft, which features a dual electric motor, three-blade propeller, and solar panels covering over 22 square meters.
3. The flight lasted 5 hours and 9 minutes, during which Domjan encountered a commercial airliner, symbolizing the future of decarbonized aviation.
4. SolarStratos aims to exceed the 10,000-meter mark, the typical cruising altitude for commercial flights, as part of their ongoing aspirations.
5. The record is pending verification by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), which is responsible for confirming aviation records.
On August 12, Swiss pilot Raphaël Domjan reached an altitude of 9,521 meters in a plane that runs entirely on electricity. This plane was fully charged using solar energy and utilizes batteries and solar panels for flight. The company behind this incredible feat, SolarStratos, has now set a new record, surpassing the former record of 9,235 meters established by Solar Impulse in 2016 on a flight from Cairo, Egypt, to Abu Dhabi, UAE. Nonetheless, the record is pending verification by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), which is responsible for reviewing all the data before confirming the record.
Details of the Flight
To accomplish this remarkable milestone, Domjan piloted the HB-SXA aircraft, which took off from Sion Airport in Switzerland. The plane gained altitude by utilizing warm air thermals and was powered by a dual electric motor that can deliver a steady output of 50 kilowatts, with a peak performance of 70 kW. The maximum rotational speed of the motor reached 2,200 revolutions per minute (rpm).
The propeller of the aircraft was designed with three blades and has a diameter of 1.9 meters.
Duration and Interaction
The flight lasted for 5 hours and 9 minutes, during which Domjan encountered a commercial airliner at cruising altitude. This moment was described by SolarStratos as “a powerful symbol of what the decarbonized aviation of tomorrow might look like.”
This aircraft can accommodate two individuals and was crafted by Calin Gologan in collaboration with the German firm Elektra Solar GmbH. It features a wingspan of 24.8 meters and measures 8.5 meters in length. The wings are fitted with solar cells that cover over 22 square meters, boasting an efficiency rate ranging from 22% to 24%. These solar cells provide a total capacity between 11 and 28 kilowatt-hours to the lithium-ion batteries.
Future Aspirations
Preparations for this flight have been ongoing for several months, with the company aiming to exceed the 10,000-meter mark, which is the typical cruising altitude for commercial aircraft. On July 31, SolarStratos successfully completed a 2.5-hour flight, reaching an altitude of 6,589 meters, which at that time was the highest recorded for the HB-SXA.
SolarStratos and the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale continue to monitor progress in this groundbreaking field of aviation.
Source:
Link
Leave a Reply