High altitude baloon
The name is actually quite accurate. It is a balloon, filled usually with helium or hydrogen that ascends into an area called “near space” or stratosphere. Stratosphere is a layer of the Earth’s atmosphere that extends from 11km up to 50km above ground all around the planet. In this altitude the maximum temperature is around -45°C and the minimum around -75°C. The balloon reaches altitude about 30km, bursts and the payload falls back to the ground, usually far from the place of launch. It has a parachute preventing its destruction and it is possible to track the fallen payload by GPS.
Common high altitude balloons, including ours, are able to fly as high as 30km (for comparison, planes fly in altitudes from 9 km to 13 km). Around 18km altitude is where “near space” begins and it offers many amazing views. Watch our video and see for yourself!