"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 aircraft collected data on short gamma-ray flashes and longer gamma-ray glows, providing the most detailed airborne analysis of gamma rays and thunderclouds ever recorded. The study aims to better understand the phenomena and potentially improve storm prediction to keep the public safe from lightning threats. The aircraft used unique gamma-ray detectors and instruments to gather real-time data and capture near-infrared and ultraviolet wavelengths emitted by lightning. NASA's ER-2 aircraft, based on the Lockheed U-2 spy plane, have been used for various scientific research missions.