Solar powered stratospheric plane shown to the world

December 7, 2016 in the Swiss town of Payerne ( Payerne ) solar Rafael Domian stratospheric plane was shown to the public. The event was attended by 300 people, among whom were representatives of the world media, ambassadors, project partners and representatives of the Swiss government.

The unique 8.5-meter aircraft has a wingspan of 24.9 meters, weighs 450 kg and is covered with solar panels of 22 square meters. This will be the first manned aircraft on solar batteries to enter the stratosphere.

Presentation of the aircraft to the public

“This is a great day for the SolarStratos team,” said Raphaël Domjan , creator of PlanetSolar , the first solar-powered catamaran who traveled around the world in 2012, as well as the initiator and pilot of the SolarStratos project.

“Our goal is to demonstrate that existing technology gives us the opportunity to achieve more than fossil fuels offer. Electric and solar cars are among the key tasks set in the 21st century. Our planes can fly at an altitude of 25,000 meters and this opens the door to the possibilities of commercial electric and solar aircraft within the limits of near space . ”

“We are very pleased with the positive feedback and support we received,” said Roland Loos, CEO of SolarXplorers SA, the organization responsible for the development and future implementation of this technology. “Our project gives hope and fulfills the dreams of both children and adults. It also opens the door to new scientific knowledge — intelligence and the peaceful use of our stratosphere at an affordable price. ”

Flight in the stratosphere by SolarStratos

A SOURCE

From the translator:
SolarStratos is a currently unique project that will allow commercial flights to the stratosphere on an apparatus that does not use fossil fuels (stratospheric tourism on supersonic fighters is currently developed).

Since, for reasons of economy (weight and materials), the cabin does not support compression and temperature compensation, pilots should be dressed in a special space suit. Among the "candidates" for the role of cosmo costumes was chosen "Falcon", produced by the Russian manufacturer "NPP" Star " . The use of a spacesuit implies that a pilot cannot use a parachute for an emergency landing in an emergency situation, and this imposes increased security obligations.

Rafael Domian with the Falcon spacesuit at the SolarStratos presentation

There is no exact data on the trial flight time, but if you look back at the PlanetSolar project, you should wait for this no earlier than 2018.