Mars sailplane prototype soars during early-stage tethered flight test in Arizona

[Admin]

An early-stage Martian sailplane soared aloft, tethered to a balloon, as engineers ponder the possibilities to expand Red Planet flight.

Mars sailplane prototype soars during early-stage tethered flight test in Arizona : Read more

 

[Mergatroid]

I would have thought a balloon would be a far superior idea. It doesn't need a motor, unless you want it to have one. It can stay aloft far longer, and can carry more instruments.
How are they going to launch a glider again if it is forced down?