"NASA's High-Flying U-2 Spy Plane Probes Thunderstorm Mysteries"

NASA pilots flew a high-altitude ER-2 aircraft into thunderstorms to study gamma-ray flashes. The mission, known as ALOFT, gathered the most detailed airborne analysis of gamma rays and thunderclouds ever recorded. The data collected could help scientists understand when storms are strengthening and provide advance warning of lightning threats. The aircraft used unique gamma-ray detectors and instruments to capture real-time data on gamma-ray radiation and lightning precursors. The ER-2 aircraft, based on the U-2 spy plane, can fly at extremely high altitudes and has been used for various scientific studies.