3 ms·
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 enou
by johngalt 11y ago
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.
- mannykannot 11y agoAs 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. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffin_corner_(aerodynamics) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffin_corner_(aerodynamics)
- protomyth 11y agoThat'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."