Comments on: New Florida company to offer stratospheric tourist balloon flights https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/new-florida-company-to-offer-stratospheric-tourist-balloon-flights/ Fri, 19 Jun 2020 15:43:28 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Col Beausabre https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/new-florida-company-to-offer-stratospheric-tourist-balloon-flights/#comment-1083005 Fri, 19 Jun 2020 11:58:46 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=66632#comment-1083005 1) Hydrogen provides the greatest lift per weight of any gas
2) The price of helium has taken off like – you will pardon the expression – a rocket
3) We once had “Rockoons” – no, not rocket propelled balloons, but….https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockoon

]]> By: Mike Borgelt https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/new-florida-company-to-offer-stratospheric-tourist-balloon-flights/#comment-1083002 Fri, 19 Jun 2020 09:55:47 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=66632#comment-1083002 Andi,

The passengers are in a pressurized cabin. Nothing they can be doing can cause the hydrogen in the balloon to ignite.
Can we ditch the Hindenberg Syndrome, please? Particularly as the Hindenberg was covered in a thin layer of Thermite painted on the fabric covering. I’ve flown gliders like that.

]]> By: Mitch S https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/new-florida-company-to-offer-stratospheric-tourist-balloon-flights/#comment-1082992 Fri, 19 Jun 2020 02:14:14 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=66632#comment-1082992 Hmm, it will be interesting to see how much actual customer interest this generates.
For me it doesn’t really compare to Virgin Galactic or other sub-orbital rides.
I think the appeal of VG’s ride is getting to feel like an astronaut, being blasted to space on a rocket powered craft, getting to the official edge of space, getting to experience micro-gravity.
The balloon ride offers none of that. Frankly it sounds a bit boring – 6 hours hanging out in a lounge – albeit with some nice views. Perhaps the decent is a little more exciting.

]]> By: Andi https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/new-florida-company-to-offer-stratospheric-tourist-balloon-flights/#comment-1082991 Fri, 19 Jun 2020 02:01:58 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=66632#comment-1082991 Hmmmm… hydrogen filled. I seem to recall that the last use of hydrogen for public-transport airships did not end well. Sure hope they know what they’re doing.

]]> By: Robert Zimmerman https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/new-florida-company-to-offer-stratospheric-tourist-balloon-flights/#comment-1082986 Fri, 19 Jun 2020 00:44:32 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=66632#comment-1082986 In reply to Edward.

Edward: Hm, you are right. I think they made a mistake and typed 30 miles for 30 kilometers. I will adjust my post.

]]> By: Edward https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/new-florida-company-to-offer-stratospheric-tourist-balloon-flights/#comment-1082984 Fri, 19 Jun 2020 00:32:05 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=66632#comment-1082984 The article is a bit confusing. It says the cruise altitude is 100,000 feet, which is about 20 miles or about 30 kilometers, but it also says the altitude is 30 miles, which is about 50% higher.

]]> By: Max https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/new-florida-company-to-offer-stratospheric-tourist-balloon-flights/#comment-1082981 Fri, 19 Jun 2020 00:10:47 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=66632#comment-1082981 After start up and proof of concept, plus safety verification… Next will come The ultimate parachute drops.

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