Generally speaking the GPS units are very expensive and only cost effective to locations that can recover thier balloons. Most of our end up in the ocean, destroying the electronics onboard. However, many other sites in our program use a GPS unit not for altitude but for wind speed and direction calculations. Altitude is infered from pressure measurements onboard. Most flights make it into the 150,000 feet range, while some can pop at around 100,000 feet. All depends on how good the balloon is.
Have you guys ever seen arcs zap your balloons? Me and my lil sis let one go. It went up and east for a while then shifted west. My eyes sterted to tear up from the bright light so I looked down. My sister yelled,"did you see that? It flashed!". I told her that I was starting to see spots and my eyes were tearing up. As soon as I looked back up, I saw the flashes too! It looked like a twinkle. Thats all I can say. I didn't see any arcs. It was awesome! I kept yelling for others but the tv was on
Oh, an arc is when electricity punches through the air in the same manner as a lightning bolt. Like a teslacoil. I thought I was seeing stuff but My sister was the one pointing it out. It wasn't long and squiggly like electrons searching for the easiest way to their destination. It looked like a camera flash. It happened Three times all together in the matter of 20 seconds.
Generally the balloons that we launch are filled with inert gas such as Helium and it is very unlikely that this would happen. Also we are part of a network of dozens of other sites around the world and at some sites they use Hydrogen balloons..if there were ever to be a 'arc' in these they surely would have exploded..it has never happened. I am unsure what type of balloon you launched but it is possible the light you saw is a reflection from the sun bouncing off something reflective.
Hmmm... I was told that under dry and windy conditions, the possibility for electrostatic buildup was out there. The balloon didn't get zapped until the end. Well it disappeared which was an indication to me that it popped as a result of expansion from decreased air pressure or from the zap.
I am wondering at what level you expected it popped at and how you were able to see it. Our ballons make it to 130,000 and I am sure no one from earth has ever seen one pop. Also our materials would be very unlikely to generate a charge, however, they most likely were different from yours....what materials did you use?
This was not a controlled experiment. In fact, I think we were rubbing the balloon on our head and sticking it to the wall. This was a birthday balloon. lol
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fake! das ist ein ufo!
proconiswarman 1 year ago
Generally speaking the GPS units are very expensive and only cost effective to locations that can recover thier balloons. Most of our end up in the ocean, destroying the electronics onboard. However, many other sites in our program use a GPS unit not for altitude but for wind speed and direction calculations. Altitude is infered from pressure measurements onboard. Most flights make it into the 150,000 feet range, while some can pop at around 100,000 feet. All depends on how good the balloon is.
almaster87 3 years ago
Have you guys ever seen arcs zap your balloons? Me and my lil sis let one go. It went up and east for a while then shifted west. My eyes sterted to tear up from the bright light so I looked down. My sister yelled,"did you see that? It flashed!". I told her that I was starting to see spots and my eyes were tearing up. As soon as I looked back up, I saw the flashes too! It looked like a twinkle. Thats all I can say. I didn't see any arcs. It was awesome! I kept yelling for others but the tv was on
antinegative007 3 years ago
whast an arc that ur talking about? just curious.
thanks
BowlingFreak218 3 years ago
Oh, an arc is when electricity punches through the air in the same manner as a lightning bolt. Like a teslacoil. I thought I was seeing stuff but My sister was the one pointing it out. It wasn't long and squiggly like electrons searching for the easiest way to their destination. It looked like a camera flash. It happened Three times all together in the matter of 20 seconds.
antinegative007 3 years ago
Generally the balloons that we launch are filled with inert gas such as Helium and it is very unlikely that this would happen. Also we are part of a network of dozens of other sites around the world and at some sites they use Hydrogen balloons..if there were ever to be a 'arc' in these they surely would have exploded..it has never happened. I am unsure what type of balloon you launched but it is possible the light you saw is a reflection from the sun bouncing off something reflective.
almaster87 3 years ago
Hmmm... I was told that under dry and windy conditions, the possibility for electrostatic buildup was out there. The balloon didn't get zapped until the end. Well it disappeared which was an indication to me that it popped as a result of expansion from decreased air pressure or from the zap.
antinegative007 3 years ago
I am wondering at what level you expected it popped at and how you were able to see it. Our ballons make it to 130,000 and I am sure no one from earth has ever seen one pop. Also our materials would be very unlikely to generate a charge, however, they most likely were different from yours....what materials did you use?
almaster87 3 years ago
This was not a controlled experiment. In fact, I think we were rubbing the balloon on our head and sticking it to the wall. This was a birthday balloon. lol
antinegative007 3 years ago
Ah that might do it haha. Yeah could be the reflection from the balloon...I dont know about the arc..could have been but I imagine quite unlikely.
almaster87 3 years ago
Did you have an altimeter or GPS device on it? If so, do you know the maximum altitude reached?
Mamba205 3 years ago