"NASA's U-2 Spy Plane Dives into Thunderstorms, Unveiling Secrets of Super-Energetic Gamma-Rays"

NASA pilots flew a modified U-2 spy plane into thunderstorms to study gamma-ray flashes. The high-altitude ER-2 aircraft collected detailed data on gamma rays and thunderclouds, providing valuable insights into the phenomena. The study, known as ALOFT, involved researchers from the University of Bergen, the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, and three NASA centers. The data gathered could help scientists predict storm intensification and improve public safety measures against lightning threats. The ER-2 aircraft, capable of flying at extreme altitudes, has been used for various scientific research missions since its acquisition by NASA in the 1980s.