I've long wondered if it would make sense to test Mars-bound hardware at high altitude -- Earth atmospheric pressure at 100,000 to 200,000 feet is similar to Ma

I've long wondered if it would make sense to test Mars-bound hardware at high altitude -- Earth atmospheric pressure at 100,000 to 200,000 feet is similar to Mars surface pressure. To test a parachute you'd probably pretty much need to launch it on a rocket, so maybe it's not worth the trouble. You might be able to drop an airplane designed for Mars from a balloon, however.