Stratospheric balloon at float during sunset

A nice view of a recent flight test of a new stratospheric balloon in his qualification flight. The image shows the balloon fully inflated while the sun is setting and fade away all the scene. Taken by the uplooking camera mounted in the CSBF's Thunderbird gondola.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• balloon
• fading
• NASA
• sunset
• 34H
• test
• flight
• CSBF
• stratosphere

[Thesniper21]

What's the normal air speed for these balloons?

I was looking up one evening around sunset and saw a white semi-translucent round object in near space moving steadily east over Boston Ma. I estimate it was at 100K ft. as an Airbus jet flew below it at about 30K ft. ( contrails from the Jet were visible, its aprox. airspeed 450 knots) The Balloon travelled like a satellite you might see at night, so its was moving pretty fast. Appeared 1/4 size of the jet, 1/3 its speed, 3 x the jets altitude.

[Stratoballoon]

@Thesniper21

As an unpowered device, the speed of the balloon depends of the speed of the air mass on wich the balloon is traveling. When they are caught by a jet stream they could reach speeds up to 400 km/hour.

[VIR092]

It's amazing to think that there's still wind at 230,000 feet! The atmosphere is remarkable, truly.

[codykode]

Cool to see these shots!  I accomplished my flight on Sept 5th, 2010 as well. Good to see so many successful attempts. You can see vids and more pics as well as how it was done at my website, aerialparade..com

Cody

[Coeyzorz]

I know right..

[gbultimate]

agreed

[pf126p]

Excuse me while I go watch paint dry...

[normanforlife]

sirchristopher2000:

The total length of the "thing" (I don't know the name) is probably around 250 meters-from the top of the balloon down to the payload. So, the balloon has got to be somewhat large.

[sirchristopher2000]

whats the scale on this thing? Is that 3m accross or 300m?

[wotlk1234]

boring O.O