3 ms·

Fly to Earth’s stratosphere by helium balloon for $50k a seat

12 points by orionion 4y ago

orionion 4y ago
High altitude balloon hovers above Laramie (Wyoming) https://www.wyomingnews.com/laramieboomerang/news/high-altitude-balloon-hovers-above-laramie/article_7e369b7b-00e3-5809-97dd-d680caee6411.html https://www.wyomingnews.com/laramieboomerang/news/high-altit... The Chainsmokers to perform at the edge of space https://www.9news.com/article/news/nation-world/chainsmokers-space-show/507-d894fdc0-74bd-464e-9165-eda03c41be22 https://www.9news.com/article/news/nation-world/chainsmokers... Explore the Edge of Space Be among the first to soar to the upper stratosphere aboard World View Explorer. Gaze upon the stars and our planet like never before. And feel profoundly moved long after touchdown. https://worldview.space https://worldview.space
giantg2 4y ago
I wish it had more information on the technical aspects.
designium 4y ago
Is the helium recoverable?
- schroeding 4y ago
  As the balloon is completely gone in the video as the capsule descents, implying detachment, probably not. Compressing the Helium instead of venting it would require extreme amounts of energy, right? Could that even work, in theory? A Space-U-Boat? :D This CNBC article[1] touches on it a bit too, especially (scarce) Helium Vs (dangerous) Hydrogen. [1] https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/13/space-tourism-firms-plan-to-use-balloons-to-go-to-space-in-2024.html https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/13/space-tourism-firms-plan-to-...
- rektide 4y ago
  The prevalent question, upon which the externalities here capitalism simply cannot not assess. If this ever "took off," it would cause great havoc & destruction for many many real needs.
8bitsrule 4y ago
Make that $500 with hydrogen lift, rented oxygen bottle and parachute, and no seat, and that'd be tempting.
fred_is_fred 4y ago
They've been flying one of these around Colorado and Wyoming - in fact I saw this thing twice in Wyoming on two different weekends - the first time I assumed weather balloon until someone told me. https://cowboystatedaily.com/2022/07/20/strange-object-spotted-in-laramie-skies-not-aliens-but-a-high-altitude-balloon/ https://cowboystatedaily.com/2022/07/20/strange-object-spott... You can track it here - https://www.flightradar24.com/N137WV/2c9c5077 https://www.flightradar24.com/N137WV/2c9c5077
londgine 4y ago
> The flight time would last from six to eight hours, but the ticket includes a five-day trip that would involve staying in boutique hotels, exploring nature sites near the spaceport, dining at local restaurants, spa, yoga and other fitness experiences. sounds odd to force such a bundle. I wonder how much just the few hour balloon ride without a week spa would cost.

12 points by orionion 4y ago

High altitude balloon hovers above Laramie (Wyoming) https://www.wyomingnews.com/laramieboomerang/news/high-altitude-balloon-hovers-above-laramie/article_7e369b7b-00e3-5809-97dd-d680caee6411.html https://www.wyomingnews.com/laramieboomerang/news/high-altit... The Chainsmokers to perform at the edge of space https://www.9news.com/article/news/nation-world/chainsmokers-space-show/507-d894fdc0-74bd-464e-9165-eda03c41be22 https://www.9news.com/article/news/nation-world/chainsmokers... Explore the Edge of Space Be among the first to soar to the upper stratosphere aboard World View Explorer. Gaze upon the stars and our planet like never before. And feel profoundly moved long after touchdown. https://worldview.space https://worldview.space

giantg2 4y ago

I wish it had more information on the technical aspects.

designium 4y ago

Is the helium recoverable?

schroeding 4y ago
As the balloon is completely gone in the video as the capsule descents, implying detachment, probably not. Compressing the Helium instead of venting it would require extreme amounts of energy, right? Could that even work, in theory? A Space-U-Boat? :D This CNBC article[1] touches on it a bit too, especially (scarce) Helium Vs (dangerous) Hydrogen. [1] https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/13/space-tourism-firms-plan-to-use-balloons-to-go-to-space-in-2024.html https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/13/space-tourism-firms-plan-to-...
rektide 4y ago
The prevalent question, upon which the externalities here capitalism simply cannot not assess. If this ever "took off," it would cause great havoc & destruction for many many real needs.

8bitsrule 4y ago

Make that $500 with hydrogen lift, rented oxygen bottle and parachute, and no seat, and that'd be tempting.

fred_is_fred 4y ago

They've been flying one of these around Colorado and Wyoming - in fact I saw this thing twice in Wyoming on two different weekends - the first time I assumed weather balloon until someone told me. https://cowboystatedaily.com/2022/07/20/strange-object-spotted-in-laramie-skies-not-aliens-but-a-high-altitude-balloon/ https://cowboystatedaily.com/2022/07/20/strange-object-spott... You can track it here - https://www.flightradar24.com/N137WV/2c9c5077 https://www.flightradar24.com/N137WV/2c9c5077

londgine 4y ago

> The flight time would last from six to eight hours, but the ticket includes a five-day trip that would involve staying in boutique hotels, exploring nature sites near the spaceport, dining at local restaurants, spa, yoga and other fitness experiences. sounds odd to force such a bundle. I wonder how much just the few hour balloon ride without a week spa would cost.