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SOLARSTRATOS
- This Swiss built aircraft is based around ultra light-weight glider
technology. The SolarStratos is 8.5 meters long with a wingspan of 24.9
metres.
She has 22.2 square metres of solar cells with an efficiency of 22-24% and a 20 kwh lithium-ion battery
to power the plane. No motor details are available at time of writing.
The project lead is
Raphael
Domjan of PlanetSolar
fame. The aim is to set an altitude record where the plane reaches the
stratosphere to show what is possible using renewable energy.
Necessarily, the craft is independent energy wise. This autonomous
vehicle weighs just 450 kilos (992 pounds).
ENERGY HARVESTING JOURNAL 8 MAY 2017
SolarStratos first test flight 08 May 2017 SolarStratos is a commercial two-seater solar plane that aims to be the first manned solar plane penetrating the stratosphere. Calin Gologan (Elektra-Solar GmbH - technical partner SolarStratos) is the designer.
The basis of the commercial aircraft will be used and the aircraft will be pushed to the limit of its ability to succeed. This tandem two-seater, with a wingspan of 24 meters and a weight of 450 kilos will fly like any other SolarStratos aircraft which means not perpetually. This will in no way impair the Mission SolarStratos, which will be a flight in high altitude. After many long months of hard work and intense round trips between Hurlach in
Germany - where SolarStratos was built - the CSEM in Neuchatel and Payerne in Switzerland, the aircraft was ready to deploy its solar-powered wings.
Final touches included installing photovoltaic components on the wings and stabilisers at the rear of the aircraft, close to the rudder. The wings were then transported from Neuchatel to Payerne to be attached to the fuselage. The slightest damage, particularly to the carbon fibre structure, could have serious consequences on the continuation of the mission. On Friday the SolarStratos test pilot Damian Hischier took the aircraft for its first test flight. The taxiing tests on the tarmac and the runway were conclusive and the Federal Office of Civil Aviation issued a 'permit to fly'. The flight took place at Payerne in Switzerland and flew for 7 minutes at an altitude of 300 metres. "We did it!" exclaimed Raphael Domjan, who will pilot the plane on its mission to the stratosphere. "With this step completed, we can look forward to the next adventures with peace of mind. Of course, the road to flying at very high altitude is long, but we are confident of getting there. The intention is to get there step by step with confidence. Our current objective is for Raphael and his co-pilot, Thierry Plojoux, to master SolarStratos so that we can demonstrate the aircraft's flight capabilities at a major event in
Quebec in June."
SolarStratos is 8.5 meters long with a wingspan of 24.9 metres. 22.2 square metres of solar cells with an efficiency of 22-24% and a 20 kwh lithium-ion
battery power the plane. EGYPT INDEPENDENT 5
MAY 2017
The first solar plane aimed at reaching the stratosphere made an initial low-altitude test flight over Switzerland Friday.
The SolarStratos, a super-light, sleek, white two-seater aircraft with long wings covered with solar panels, took off from Payerne at 8:00 am (0600 GMT), according to an AFP
photographer at the airbase in western Switzerland.
"The maiden flight of the prototype … went off without a hitch," the SolarStratos team said in a statement.
Pilot Damian Hischier took the craft for a seven-minute test flight, reaching an altitude of 300 metres (nearly 1,000 feet), it said.
"The group will now study the test flight results before scheduling a longer flight at higher altitude," the statement added.
Eventually, the plane is expected to be able to fly at an altitude of 25,000 metres (82,000 feet), an impossible feat using a propulsion-driven aircraft.
Swiss adventurer Raphael Domjan, who is behind the project, aims to take the plane on its first stratospheric flight next year.
Harness Potential
"We must continue to work hard to learn how to harness the potential of this solar-powered
treasure," he said Friday.
"We want to demonstrate that with current technology, it is possible to go beyond what
fossil fuels offer."
The SolarStratos is 8.5 metres long, with long wings covered with 22 square metres (237 square feet) of solar panels, which are meant to provide it with 24 hours of autonomous flying time.
The plane weighs just 450 kilos (992 pounds).
Domjan, who in 2012 became the first person to sail around the world in a fully
solar-powered
boat, is aiming to go on a five-hour mission into the stratosphere: two hours up and three hours back.
The stratosphere lies above Earth's lowest atmospheric layer, called the troposphere.
At middle latitudes, the stratosphere runs from a lower boundary of about 10,000 metres to an upper boundary of about 50,000 metres.
Until now, reaching the stratosphere has required large quantities of energy or helium.
Reaching an altitude of 25,000 metres will pose huge technical and human challenges, SolarStratos points out on its website.
The plane and pilot will also be subject to temperatures as low as -70 degrees Celsius (-94 degrees Fahrenheit), it said.
And for weight reasons, the aircraft will not be pressurised, forcing Domjan to wear a spacesuit, meaning he will not be able to get out of the plane using a parachute in the case of an emergency, SolarStratos said.
The project comes after two of Domjan's compatriots, Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg, completed the first-ever round-the-globe trip in a solar plane last July, in a bid to showcase the possibilities for the future of renewable energy.
Payerne (Switzerland) – AFP DAILY MAIL
5 MAY 2017
- SolarStratos takes to the skies: Two-seater plane that will soar to the edge of space NEXT YEAR completes its first test flight
* SolarStratos took its first test flight over Payerne, Switzerland at 08:00 (07:00BST/02:00 EST) today
* The plane flew for seven minutes at an altitude of 300 metres, before landing
* Its designers say the flight marks an important first step on the pathway to solar-powered aviation
* In 2018, the firm plans to send SolarStratos on a five-hour mission to space and back
* The plane and pilot will be subjected to frigid temperatures and extremely low pressures
A plane destined to become the first solar-powered craft to break through the stratosphere has taken to the skies this morning.
The SolarStratos, which is fuel-free and powered by sunlight, successfully completed its first seven-minute test flight, reaching altitudes of 300 metres.
Its designers say the flight marks an important first step in preparation for plans to send SolarStratos to the edge of space in 2018.
SolarStratos took to the skies over Payerne, Switzerland at 08:00 local time (07:00 BST/02:00 EST), where conditions were described as 'ideal.'
Raphael
Domjan, who founded the firm, supervised the test flight by pilot Damian Hischier, who flew SolarStratos for seven minutes at an altitude of 300 metres, before landing.
Thankfully, the maiden flight went off without a hitch.
The group now plans to study the results of the test flight before scheduling a longer flight at higher altitude.
Mr Domjan was delighted with the results of the inaugural flight, and said: 'We were impatient for this moment and are happy with our first flight and the way that the plane behaved.
'Now we must continue to work hard to learn how to harness the potential of this solar-powered treasure.
'We want to demonstrate that with current technology, it is possible to go beyond what fossil fuels offer.
'Electric and solar vehicles are among the major challenges of the 21st century.
'Our plane which can fly at 25,000 metres, opens a window to electric and solar-powered high-altitude aviation – something that has never before been attempted.
'Only by flying can we work out the plane's limits and today's short flight was an important first step on this pathway.'
Mr Hischier, who was piloting the solar-powered craft, added: 'The plane is very nice to fly.
'It is responsive and it is obvious that it has been very well designed and built. SOLARSRATOS MISSION TO SPACE
In November, SolarStraos first revealed plans for a five-hour mission to space and back, during which the plane and pilot will be subjected to frigid temperatures and extremely low pressures.
In the first mission, it's expected the plane will take two hours to ascend to space, 15 minutes to 'stay up with the stars,' and three hours to descend.
From up so high, passengers will be able to see the curvature of the Earth and witness the stars during the daytime.
But, this also means the pilot will not be able to leave the plane to use a parachute.
During the journey, both the plane and pilot will experience temperatures as cold as -70°C, along with pressures around five per cent those felt on Earth.
SolarStratos hopes to blast off into space by 2018.
'The SolarStratos team have an excellent baseline to work from as they progress to the next step of this pioneering and ambitious project.'
Roland Loos, CEO of SolarStratos added: 'We are particularly pleased to have taken this crucial step in the development of our project.
'SolarStratos aims to promote renewable energies and to demonstrate that concepts and projects that seemed inconceivable five years ago are possible thanks to the technology available today.
'Technology in the field of solar-electric aviation is still in its infancy, so this is just the beginning of a great adventure.'
In November, SolarStratos first revealed plans for a five-hour mission to space and back, during which the plane and pilot will be subjected to frigid temperatures and extremely low pressures.
The plane is just 28 feet (8.5 metres) long and runs on a 32-kW electric engine and 20 kWh
lithium-ion battery, charged by the craft's 72 square feet (22 square metre) solar cells, which cover each wing.
It has a wingspan of 81.4 feet (24.8 metres).
The craft, built by PC-Aero, can seat two people and is capable of more than 24 hours of flight.
According to the firm, SolarStratos is the first commercial two-seater solar plane, and will be the first solar craft to breach the stratosphere.
Its hangar was completed in November, and this will serve as the operational base.
In the first mission, it's expected the plane will take two hours to ascend to space, 15 minutes to 'stay up with the stars,' and three hours to descend.
From up so high, passengers will be able to see the curvature of the Earth and witness the stars during the daytime.
'Wouldn't it be essential to go higher to show the capacity of renewable energy, here on the surface of our planet?' the website says.
'Beyond this adventure, our project is to open a door on a commercial electrical or solar aviation on the edge of space, with the aim of achieving unique travel with private passengers or scientists.'
The craft will not be pressurised as a result of weight restrictions, and the pilot will have to wear an astronaut's pressurized suit, in another solar energy first.
'For a hundred years it was necessary to use large quantities of energy or helium to reach the stratosphere,' the team continued.
But, this also means the pilot will not be able to leave the plane to use a parachute.
During the journey, both the plane and pilot will experience temperatures as cold as -70°C, along with pressures around five per cent those felt on
Earth.
According to the SolarStratos team, the mission will be a challenge to both human and technological capabilities, and could pave the way for renewable energy travel.
'Now we are going to open the way for manned solar and electric aviation on the edge of space.'
SolarStratos hopes to blast off into space by 2018. SOLAR IMPULSE 2'S ROUND THE WORLD FLIGHT
SolarStratos's mission comes just months after Solar Impulse II made the first ever
round-the-world flight powered by solar energy.
The globe-circling voyage began in March 2015 from Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, and made stops in Oman, Myanmar, China and Japan.
Piccard and Andre Borschberg took turns piloting the plane on each leg of the journey.
Both trained to stay alert for long stretches of time by practicing meditation and hypnosis.
Borschberg set a new endurance record for the longest non-stop solo flight last July during a 118-hour trans-Pacific crossing, over five days and five nights, from
Japan to
Hawaii.
By Shivali Best For Mailonline 
CONTACTS
SolarXplorers SA
Galilée 7, CH-1400 Yverdon-les-Bains
info at solarstratos.com
+41 24 425 75 40
+41 24 425 75 41
Partnerships
Wiktor Korewa
vk at solarstratos.com
+41 24 425 75 40
Head of communication
Bernard Schopfer
MaxComm Communication
42 quai Gustave-Ador
CH-1207 Geneva
+41 22 735 55 30
+41 79 332 11 76
bernard.schopfer@maxcomm.ch
Press (Switzerland)
Michel Gandillon
mg at solarstratos.com
+41 24 425 75 40
Press (International)
Coralie Jugan
cj at solarstratos.com
+33 6 12 97 78 63
SEAVAX
- Stephane Chopard & Raphaelle Javet (communications) and Raphael
Domjan (pilot) on a visit to another solar powered project in the UK in
August 2017. Where SolarStratos uses solar power to climb high above the
earth, SeaVax
uses solar power to clean the ocean. Both projects are aiming for a
sustainable world, but the ocean cleaning craft is more aligned with one
of Raphael's earlier projects: PlanetSolar
- being waterborne.
LINKS
& REFERENCE https://www.solarstratos.com/en/team/
http://www.idtechex.com/EIEV/show/en/
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