4 ms·
Space begins at 62 miles up - that's 327,680 feet. While these balloons do go up high enough that it might look like they're in space (black sky and all) - at
by graupel 16y ago
Space begins at 62 miles up - that's 327,680 feet.
While these balloons do go up high enough that it might look like they're in space (black sky and all) - at 110,000', they're simply not.
- jrockway 16y agoThe article uses the term "near space".
- stratomorph 16y agoIt's a bit misleading to flatly cite the 100km Karman line as if there was no room to debate "where does space begin?" The boundary could be lower: NASA gives out astronaut wings at 50 miles (264000 feet). Or maybe it should be higher: Orbits decay pretty quickly under atmospheric drag at that altitude, and drag is a factor even at ISS altitude, requiring a bit of fuel now and again to replace energy lost to drag. The point at which reasonable flying speed equals orbital speed (~100 km) is just one demarcation, chosen by convention from many possibilities.
- graupel 16y agoAll very good points - thanks for the info - lots to think about.