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In Switzerland, a team is preparing to approach the stars with a solar plane. Indeed, with this prototype, the pilot Raphaël Domjan hopes to reach the stratosphere. Only, before achieving this, tests must still be carried out.
Its immense wingspan splits the air and the landscapes. In the Swiss sky, one of the only solar planes in the world took off, without a drop of kerosene. It is only propelled by the rays of the sun. On its wings are dozens of solar panels. According to its engineers, they would make it possible to approach space for the first time. After several years of preparation, this unique 10 million euro prototype has entered its final phase, test flights.
reach the stratosphere
The pilot Raphaël Domjan is at the head of this project. Its goal is to reconcile aviation and renewable energies. His 570-kilogram plane is powered by five batteries. “What is incredible is that we are able to search for the batteries in flight. It makes little noise. We emit no CO2“, explains the pilot. Before taking the direction of the sky, the adventurers have already traveled the seas of the globe. This time, the sun will have to be their ally for another challenge, to reach the stratosphere, between 12 and 50 kilometers of altitude. around the earth. To leave, the pilots will have to equip themselves with oxygen cylinders and space suits.