Perlan project record altitude bid

Airbus Group’s Perlan II glider is attempting to break the world altitude record for wingborne flight by surfing “mountain waves” of wind over Argentina, aiming to reach 90,000ft (27.4km)

Perlan II: Pressurised cabin includes oxygen rebreather system for two crew and parachutes for emergency descent if required

El Calafate, Argentina: Mission base in Andes mountains

Polar vortex: Cyclone of fast-moving air strongest during austral winter – feeds westerly winds moving over mountains

Antarctica

Mountain waves: Winds deflected upwards by mountain ridges help glider soar into stratosphere

Specifications

10.16m

12.3m

Flight speed: 650km/h*

Gross weight: 816kg

Payload: Instruments to gather data on high altitude flight, greenhouse gases and ozone levels

STRATOSPHERE

0 5 10 15 20 25km

Wingborne altitude record 25.9km

TROPOSPHERE


Sources: Airbus Group, Perlan Project Inc. 

*At 90,000ft