The Airbus Perlan Mission II team, which aims to fly a pressurized glider to a record of 90,000 feet, is continuing its flight-test program in Minden, Nevada. Airbus CEO Tom Enders visited the site last weekend, and went for a flight in the glider with the project’s chief pilot, Jim Payne. “Experiencing the Perlan 2 glider in flight was truly remarkable,” said Enders. “Airbus Perlan Mission II is all about pushing the boundaries of innovation, refining our understanding of our environment and climate change, and inspiring a new generation of aerospace pioneers. We’re honored to see this dedicated team of volunteers carry our name on a journey that will eventually take them to the edge of space.” The high-altitude tests also will provide insight into the potential for wing-borne travel in the thin atmosphere of Mars, according to the team.
The Perlan II glider first flew last September, in Oregon, and moved to a higher-altitude site in Nevada in December. The team has been gradually increasing the altitude and speed reached on each flight. They plan to relocate to the Patagonia area of Argentina this summer, where conditions will enable them to begin test flights to higher altitudes, ultimately reaching the 90,000-foot goal later this year. The glider’s true flight speed at that altitude will be more than 400 mph. The crew will breathe pure oxygen provided by a rebreather system, similar to what astronauts use in space.
