Geostationary Banana Over Texas

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The Geostationary Banana Over Texas project is a planned banana-shaped airship to be launched over the state of Texas in the summer of 2008.

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[edit] Overview

The airship, approximately 1,000 feet long, will be launched from Mexico en route over the entire state of Texas until it disintegrates near Louisiana[1].

Public artist Cesar Saez, from Quebec, Canada, created the project, hoping the art will "humor to the Texas sky"[2]. The helium-filled balloon will be the largest airship in history, will be constructed entirely out of bamboo and paper, and will run on 19th-century technology. The banana will float 30-50 km in the air[3] and will cost about one million dollars.

The project has already received at least $65,000 Canadian dollars (approx. $55,000 US) from the Canadian Federal Government and Quebec Province, sparking a little controversy.[4] In addition, donations have been accepted by many arts and science organizations.

[edit] Criticism

Many federal offices have severely criticized the project, saying "You can't put something over the United States without checking the agencies and organizations."[5] The Federal Aviation Administration is afraid of the safety of the project, worrying about violation of airspace and legal matters[citation needed].

Scientists also argue over winds in the stratosphere, commenting that the winds would steer the banana away from Texas, instead landing it over the Gulf of Mexico. Also, many argue that the banana will be too small to be viewable from the altitude, and at the level of atmosphere, atmospheric pressure could burst the ship without 21st century technology. There is still strong opposition between the two possibilities, and no organization has confirmed victory in the project.

[edit] References

  1. ^ The Houston Chronicle, Jan. 7th, 2006; Page B3; paragraph 4
  2. ^ The Houston Chronicle; Page B3, paragraph 3. Last assessed January 7th, 2007
  3. ^ http://www.geostationarybananaovertexas.com/en.html Banana project website, "About The Project".
  4. ^ http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070109/wl_canada_afp/canadausartoffbeat_070109203555
  5. ^ The FAA, for the Houston Chronicle

[edit] External links

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