Thread: Space balloon skittles Discovery

When we released Met balloons with radiosondes in windy conditions we used two people. One would take the balloon upwind and release it, and when the balloon passed overhead the second person would release the radiosonde. Plain common sense, but nothing like this was done here. The balloon was allowed to drift downwind and, of course, the payload was going to swing in an arc towards the balloon (and into the ground) as soon as it was released.

Stephen.

So where were the ballon launchers from? Amateurville.

What makes me think the smallest piece of equipment on the ballon's instrument pod was worth a lot more than the poor Disco?

Originally Posted by slug_burner

So where were the ballon launchers from? Amateurville.

na, I think thats the problem - too many beakers in lab coats

Amatures would probably have built the whole thing for a few hundred bucks, it would have worked and it would be sky high by now beeping away.

Does anyone know when the third launch is scheduled? I need some insurance money.

Originally Posted by Hardchina

na, I think thats the problem - too many beakers in lab coats

Amatures would probably have built the whole thing for a few hundred bucks, it would have worked and it would be sky high by now beeping away.

Does anyone know when the third launch is scheduled? I need some insurance money.

That's a bit hard!!

The so-called white coats got the first one off the ground and back again successfully.

Not bad for a bunch of beginners.

If the failed attempt hadn't been filmed no one would have noticed except for a lab full of professors and the owner of a green Disco.