Solar Stratos High Altitude Aircraft Prototype Comes to EBACE2023
3 May 2023
A pioneering aircraft poised to fly to the edge of space on solar power will be among the forward-looking, stainability-focused aircraft showcased at the 2023 European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2023) taking place 23-25 May in Geneva, Switzerland.
Solar Stratos aims to fly the aircraft up to the stratosphere to highlight the potential of solar energy to power a marketable general aviation (GA) aircraft. A mockup of the unpressurized, two-seat Mission Solar Stratos prototype, featuring a nearly 25-meter (82-foot) wingspan, will be displayed on the EBACE2023 show floor.
Raphael Domjan, Solar Stratos founder and pilot, said exhibiting at EBACE2023 is, “fundamental for a mission like this one. Solar Stratos is a platform to promote on a large scale, via our electric and solar aircraft, the potential of solar energy that allows us to envisage a low-carbon and even more sustainable world.”
The endeavor builds upon other recent successful solar energy projects, including the 2009 round-the-world flight of the Solar Impulse aircraft piloted by André Borschberg and Bertrand Piccard. Between 2010-2012, Domjan sailed the electric- and solar-powered PlanetSolar catamaran around the globe. He later operated the vessel on a 60,000-km east-to-west trip along the Equator.
In addition to showcasing a mockup of the aircraft, Domjan will participate in an education session as part of the EBACE2023 Sustainability Summit. His session – Take a Trip to the Stratosphere – is set for 24 May at 11: 30 a.m. in Sustainability Theater L53. He will be joined by moderator and EBAA Chairman Juergen Wiese.
Bringing together thousands of business leaders, government officials, manufacturers, flight department personnel and others involved in nearly every aspect of business aviation, EBACE2023 is Europe’s premier event showcasing sustainable, on-demand aviation and advanced air mobility throughout the European continent.
