SolarStratos is planning to fly a solar-powered plane to an altitude of over 80,000 ft (24,000 m) most commercial jets fly at an altitude of about 30,000 feet.
SolarStratos is the first commercial two-seater solar plane in history, it will also be the first manned solar plane penetrating the stratosphere. Calin Gologan (PC-Aero GmbH – technical partner PostalSolar) is the designer. The basis of the commercial aircraft will be used and the aerodrome will be pushed to the limit of its ability to succeed in our crazy bet. 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.
For weight reasons, the vessel will not be pressurised, obliging Raphaël to wear an astronaut’s pressurised suit which will function uniquely with solar energy constituting a world first.
The flight mission is currently set for 2018.
SOURCE- Solar stratos
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