High altitude balloon
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
High altitude balloons are balloons, usually filled with helium, that are released into the upper atmosphere, generally reaching between 60,000 and 120,000 feet.
The most common type of high altitude balloon are weather balloons, although there are many other purposes to which such balloons can be put. Many scientific groups and universities use them to conduct experiments in the upper atmosphere, and modern balloons generally contain electronic equipment such as radio transmitters, cameras, and sometimes a satellite navigation system, such as GPS.
These balloons are launched into what is termed "near space" - the area of Earth's atmosphere where there is very little air, but which is not high enough to be in the realm of satellites.
[edit] See also
- Altitude sickness
- High-altitude airship
- Manned balloon altitude records
- Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility
[edit] External links
- Near Space Ventures - Kansas City, MO
- Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility
- Iowa State University - High Altitude Balloon Experiments in Technology
- US Centennial of Flight essay on balloons as forerunners to space travel
- E.N.S.U.R.E.1 Electronic Near-Space Utility for Recovery and Experimentation
- Pegasus High Altitude Balloon Project
