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NASA's Space Balloon Smashes Car In Australia

Humunculus writes "Of more worldly issues, NASA's latest multimillion-dollar stratosphere-bound balloon launch has gone horribly wrong and crashed into a car, turning it over and narrowly missing two elderly people who were observing the launch. The payload fared worse, reportedly being smashed into a 'thousand pieces.'"

14 of 174 comments (clear)

  1. First by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    First splat

    1. Re:First by twistedsymphony · · Score: 5, Funny

      The director of the Balloon Launching Centre, Professor Ravi Sood, says no one was hurt.
      But he says the scientists involved in the NASA-sponsored project are crushed.

      Rather harsh punishment don't you think?

  2. No one was hurt? by AnonymousClown · · Score: 4, Funny

    The director of the Balloon Launching Centre, Professor Ravi Sood, says no one was hurt. But he says the scientists involved in the NASA-sponsored project are crushed.

    It says right there, some NASA scientists were crushed in the accident.

    I think the old couple needs to sue, sell chunks of their car on eBay, and retire rich!

    --
    RIP America

    July 4, 1776 - September 11, 2001

  3. NASA forgot by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    that Australia is upside down

  4. Re:humm? by chalkyj · · Score: 5, Informative

    Quite high if you had a car parked next to the launch rig. Which is what happened. If you bothered to click the link.

  5. In related news... by Stenchwarrior · · Score: 4, Funny

    The lead baloon engineer, known for his cocky attitude and general air of superiority, had his ego severely deflated.

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    1. Re:In related news... by bwcarty · · Score: 5, Funny

      The lead baloon engineer....

      Why was he trying to engineer a lead balloon? Didn't he watch that episode of MythBusters?

  6. could someone translate from australian for me? by circletimessquare · · Score: 5, Funny

    He said the balloon was then seen lying partially-inflated above a paddock "like a white Uluru".

    what's a paddock?

    and what is with the reference to an albino version of a star trek character?

    i know you australians typically speak german like your neighbors to the north, but if you are going to write a story in the american language, try to more precise

    thanks

    --
    intellectual property law is philosophically incoherent. it is your moral duty to ignore it or sabotage it
    1. Re:could someone translate from australian for me? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      > Rife with typo's

      Ah, the ireny.

  7. Re:CRIKEY MATE by tumutbound · · Score: 4, Funny

    I find this response insulting. Australians do not drink Fosters! It's for export only. Nothing is too bad for the rest of the world.

  8. Re:Who authorized go on launch? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    I don't think that was a planned release, it seems more like an accident.

    It looks as if the crane was rotating when the accident happened. The force of the balloon and the rotation of the crane seemed to have put a torque on the apparatus that was holding the rig in place. The apparatus snapped, releasing the rig and hijinx ensued.

    Also, never part downwind of space balloon launches.

  9. Re:Another hoax! by dave420 · · Score: 4, Funny

    He was until a dingo got to him.

  10. Whoosh? by Pteraspidomorphi · · Score: 5, Funny

    It may be a bad day for balloon launches, but at least jokes seem to be flying right past some people.

  11. Re:+1 for the Idiocracy by brainboyz · · Score: 4, Insightful

    NASA's performance was once the measure of the USA's intellectual success...

    Sadly, it still is.