The Perlan 2 glider hopes to create aviation history by soaring to 90,000 feet higher than any plane has gone before

Existing record of 85,000ft is held by an American spy plane, the Lockheed SR-71 'Blackbird' - achieved in 1976 

Glider, which has an 85ft wingspan and weighs less than one ton, will aim to get there by soaring on air currents 

A daring plan to fly a glider to the edge of space is a step closer after a successful test flight on Sunday.

The Perlan 2 glider hopes to create aviation history by soaring to 90,000 feet – 17 miles up - higher than any plane has gone before.

The existing record of 85,000ft is held by an American spy plane, the Lockheed SR-71 'Blackbird'.

But that plane got there using powerful jet engines.

The Perlan 2 glider, which has an 85ft wingspan and weighs less than one ton, will aim to get there by soaring on air currents rising off mountains