Near space
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Near Space is the region of Earth's atmosphere that lies between 65,000 and 325,00-350,000 feet above sea level, above where a commercial airliner flies but below the realm of an orbiting satellite. The area is of interest to the United States Department of Defense for military surveillance purposes, as well as to commercial interests for communications. Currently, the vehicles that fly in near space are generally high altitude balloons, blimps (non-rigid airships) and other lighter than air vehicles. It is also the realm of an activity known as Amateur Radio High Altitude Ballooning.
