Aircraft
Airbus-sponsored Perlan 2 to soar to 100,000 feet in bid to understand climate
The pressurized glider made its first flight in September and is to harness an upward wind that was still unknown 25 years ago.
Designed to fly at 90,000 feet with 2 percent of sea-level air density and temperatures of -70C, the Perlan 2 glider is capable of flight in atmospheric conditions resembling those of Mars.
Designed to fly at 90,000 feet with 2 percent of sea-level air density and temperatures of -70C, the Perlan 2 glider is capable of flight in atmospheric conditions resembling those of Mars.

The Perlan 2 glider, an engineless aircraft designed to fly in the stratosphere, made its first flight on September 23 above Redmond Municipal Airport, Oregon. During the test sortie, it reached 5,000 feet, a first step towards a planned 90,000 feet next year and eventually 100,000 feet. The objective of the Airbus Group-sponsored project is scientific–mainly about weather, climate and the ozone layer.