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Largest Balloon Ever

Posted by michael on from the except-for-the-dot-com-bubble dept.

bitpusherdotorg writes "The UK's Colin Prescot and Andy Elson are in the midst of preparations for their upcoming attempt at setting a new world balloon altitude record in July. The pilots will make their ascent in the largest helium balloon ever constructed, on an open flight deck (!) with nothing but a pair of tailor made Russian spacesuits to keep them breathing. Why pay 20 million for a shuttle when you can just balloon it?"

1 of 30 comments (clear)

  1. Re:parachute by hubie · · Score: 4, Informative

    You are referring to Kittinger's 76,000 ft jump. He got tangled in his drogue (it wrapped around his neck) and passed out. An automatically deployed emergency chute saved his life. On his 102,000 ft jump he was in danger of losing his hand because his glove depressurized.