Geostationary Banana Over Texas
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The factual accuracy of part of this article is disputed. The dispute is about whether this project is a hoax..
Please see the relevant discussion on the talk page before making changes.(March 2008) |
The Geostationary Banana Over Texas project is a planned banana-shaped airship to be launched over the state of Texas in the August 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 “add 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 US$1,500,000.
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. Overall, the project has a current total of $750,000 pledged support.
[edit] Criticism
Many federal offices have severely criticized the project, with one federal employee stating that “you can't put something over the United States without checking the agencies and organizations”.[5] The Federal Aviation Administration is concerned over the safety of the project, worrying about violation of airspace and legal matters[citation needed]. However, the planned altitude is not subject to such regulations.
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[citation needed] without 21st century technology. There is still strong opposition between the two possibilities, and no organization has confirmed victory in the project.
[edit] References
- ^ The Houston Chronicle, Jan. 7th, 2006; Page B3; paragraph 4
- ^ The Houston Chronicle; Page B3, paragraph 3. Last assessed January 7th, 2007
- ^ http://www.geostationarybananaovertexas.com/en.html Banana project website, "About The Project".
- ^ CTV.ca | Artist hopes to float giant banana over Texas
- ^ The FAA, for the Houston Chronicle
