Flying ever higher: Perlan Project reaches new heights
The Perlan Project’s Airbus Mission II glider is steadily rising towards its goal of reaching the edge of space – without an engine.
In a few short day since the end of August 2018, the crew of the Airbus Mission II has beaten its 2017 record of 52,000 feet (15.9km), climbed above the Armstrong Line (the point at which human blood boils unless protected), to reach over 65,000 feet (19.9km), then achieved an impressive 76,000 feet (23km) on 2nd September, beating the altitude reached by the US Air Force’s U-2 Dragon Lady (a reconnaissance aircraft) in 1989.
The purpose-built, pressurised glider rides the stratospheric mountain waves, currently particularly strong over the Patagonian area of El Calafate, Argentina. The aim of the Perlan Project is to monitor and use these mountain waves to soar up to 90,000 feet – the edge of space.
The FAI is waiting for the record claim documentation to ratify this latest performance as a new world record. If ratified the flight would set a new record in the absolute altitude on a glider. Read more about the Perlan Project.
Perlan Project Updates
Images: Perlan Project
