Re:Pilot aims to fly super glider to the edge of space
by astazangasta on Saturday August 01, 2015 @09:21AM
(#9986933)
Anyone with a handy explanation of how you can glide on air so thin?
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Re:Pilot aims to fly super glider to the edge of space
by johngalt on Saturday August 01, 2015 @09:38AM
(#9986983)
Thinner air produces less drag. You can travel faster over air that is less dense. Meaning the total volume of air flowing over the wing still remains high enough to provide lift. A 400mph glider would get torn apart at normal pressures, but at 90k it won't.
Relatively 'normal' gliders have been over Mt. Everest.
Re:Pilot aims to fly super glider to the edge of space
by mannykannot on Saturday August 01, 2015 @09:56AM
(#9987031)
As the density of the air falls with altitude, an airplane's stalling speed (true, not indicated) rises. Conversely, as the temperature falls, so does the speed of sound. The convergence of these two values puts a practical upper limit on the altitude of a subsonic airplane. The glider's edge here is in having a low stalling speed.
Re:Pilot aims to fly super glider to the edge of space
by protomyth on Saturday August 01, 2015 @10:28AM
(#9987127)
That's probably why their website says "PHASE 3
This phase will set a goal of exploring the stratosphere up to 100,000 feet. Flight speeds will increase to the point where the glider will need new transonic wings. Flight operations will be extended to exploring the Polar Vortex in the northern hemisphere."