Solar Plane Flighs Higher Than Ever

On August 12, 2025, the SolarStratos HB-SXA made history by flying higher than any solar-electric aircraft before. Proving the sky is no limit for clean aviation.

“The aircraft registered its highest altitude ever for a manned solar and electric-powered flight,” said the SolarStratos team after the mission.

Piloted from Sion, Switzerland, by Raphaël Domjan, the HB-SXA climbed to 9,521 meters (31,237 feet) in a flight lasting five hours and nine minutes. The lightweight plane, just 450 kg with a 24.8-meter wingspan, relies on a 43-bhp motor supported by a 20-kWh battery. Though awaiting official verification, the achievement marks a new step for solar-electric aviation and a glimpse of a future where flights powered by the sun soar even higher.