A Closer Look at the ELSS of the Stratospheric Airbus Perlan II

Abstract

The Perlan II is a closed-loop pressurized Stratospheric engine-less Glider. The life support system is based on a re-breather , closed-loop system. The combination of gases and different pressures and oxygen contents between the cabin and the air, oxygen inside the mask-rebreather makes for a new and interesting approach to solve the ELSS on a vehicle without external or internal self produced power while reaching designed altitudes of 91,000 feet, (approx. 27.7 KM) The Perlan achieves different pressure and oxygen concentration between the air in the cabin and the air inside the breathing loop, this makes this vehicle’s Pressurization and the ELSS closer to a spacecraft than a conventional aircraft. The Pressurization system is based on gas supplied by a pressurized air tank. The Airbus Perlan II, reached FL540 (Approx. 52,500 feet GPS Altitude) and broke the world record on September 4th, 2017 in El Calafate, Argentina. The Aircraft Will be targeting FL910 during the summer of 2018. This paper will present an overview of the systems to keep the pilots alive while flying in the stratosphere while in low atmospheric temperature and pressure and a review of the testing performed both in the ground and inflight. www.Perlanproject.com