This summer, two pilots sandwiched in a 36-inch-wide cabin could take the Perlan 2 glider to 90,000 feet, higher than most aircraft have flown. To reach such heights, the glider will ride stratospheric waves—powerful and little-understood currents that flow over mountain ranges. It will be flying in uncharted and unstable aeronautic territory, and between the rigors of thin air and blistering ultraviolet radiation, the slightest miscalculation could be disastrous. If successful, the Perlan 2 could expand the parameters of high-altitude flight, enhance climate science, and provide new insights on planetary exploration. All without burning a drop of jet fuel.
1. ASSISTED LAUNCH
A 20 horsepower tow plane will use a cable to lift the glider up to 10,000 feet. Perlan 2’s pilots will then detach from the aircraft and continue their ascent using air currents and lithium-ion battery-powered flight instruments.
2. TIGHT QUARTERS
This story is from the March - April 2016 edition of Popular Science.
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This story is from the March - April 2016 edition of Popular Science.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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