Editing Advanced Soaring Concepts Apex (section)

== Mission profile ==

The planned mission profile involved lifting the Apex to an altitude of about 105,000 feet (32,000 meters) using a high-altitude [[balloon]]. Upon release, the sailplane would descend nose-down, transitioning to horizontal flight with the assistance of a small rocket motor. Once stabilized, it would conduct a series of aerodynamic measurements during its glide back to lower altitudes.<ref name="NASA_Apex" />

Instrumentation included a "wake rake" mounted behind the wing to measure drag and other aerodynamic parameters. Data collected would have contributed to the validation of computational models for high-altitude flight and the development of future aircraft operating in similar conditions.<ref name="NASA_Apex" />