Interesting how NASA stands up and takes notice that they have competition!
How dare someone else enter their "Space"

Al Jazeera has British reporters? I thought it was only broadcast in the Middle East

Al Jazeera is an international news organization. Last I looked into it, they had reporters in almost every country, and are considered one of the most reputable sources of journalism.

last i looked into it that world was connected through this thing called the internet and on this source of information the world had the ability to read any news story from anywhere...

Comment hidden because you are ignoring dag.(show it anyway)

I wonder what the absolute top altitude of a weather baloon is? I guess at some point, the helium is heavier than the surrounding near vacuum. It would be helpful if there was something - other than a rocket that carries all its reaction mass with it - that could reach space.

>> ^dag:

I wonder what the absolute top altitude of a weather baloon is? I guess at some point, the helium is heavier than the surrounding near vacuum. It would be helpful if there was something - other than a rocket that carries all its reaction mass with it - that could reach space.


they do, the balloons pop. Pop goes the weasel.

>> ^dag:

I wonder what the absolute top altitude of a weather baloon is? I guess at some point, the helium is heavier than the surrounding near vacuum. It would be helpful if there was something - other than a rocket that carries all its reaction mass with it - that could reach space.



"The highest altitude ever achieved by one such unmanned research balloon was 51,820m; this balloon was launched from Chico, California in 1972" (32.2 miles)
http://hypertextbook.com/facts/2003/ValerieChang.shtml

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weather_balloon

Seems like it would be fairly trivial to have a parachute inside the balloon so that the equipment would safely descend when the balloon let rip. You wouldn't have to worry about deployment, then, which might otherwise include extra weight in the form of sensors and/or some sort of mechanical chute deployment.

On further thought, I guess it depends on how thoroughly the balloon is destroyed. The remains of the balloon could interfere with the chute opening.

>> ^dag:

I wonder what the absolute top altitude of a weather baloon is? I guess at some point, the helium is heavier than the surrounding near vacuum. It would be helpful if there was something - other than a rocket that carries all its reaction mass with it - that could reach space.

>> ^Pong:

Al Jazeera has British reporters? I thought it was only broadcast in the Middle East


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Jazeera_English

When I watch this video, I hear a strange and annoying ringing in my ear whenever the reporter talks. I can't tell where it's coming from, but I suddenly feel very compelled to strangle the AlJazeera production manager in charge of sound effects.