A helium-filled balloon can float very high up into the atmosphere, however,
it cannot float up into outer space
. The air in Earth’s atmosphere gets thinner the higher up you go. … This happens at about a height of 20 miles (32 kilometers) above Earth’s surface.
How long does it take for a balloon to reach space?
The average balloon will ascend for
about 90 minutes
before bursting. After the ascent is complete, the payload boxes and flight equipment will slowly fall on a parachute for around 30 minutes, giving the average flight a total duration of two hours.
What happens when a balloon goes into space?
The air molecules inside the balloon would be moving at roughly the speed of sound, or slightly faster. Once the balloon explodes, those molecules would move at a slightly lower velocity and continue into the vacuum of space until
they bump into another molecule
that slows or diverts its path.
Can a helium balloon hit a plane?
A:
Yes
, I have seen several weather balloons while in flight. There have been cases where weather balloons have been struck by airplanes. Usually there is no damage to the aircraft, but occasionally to the weather instruments. It’s a rare occurrence.
How high can a regular balloon go?
While no one can ever guarantee a weather balloon will soar to a specific height, the balloons typically reach
between 60,000 and 105,000 feet
. However, the highest recorded weather balloon flight on record was launched in 2002 and soared to an incredible height of 173,000 feet.
Can balloons crash a plane?
We called the FAA when we had launched small balloons. The answer is
yes
if you’re referring to a party balloon. It will cause the aircraft to crash if it is sucked into an engine, it won’t stop the engine, and it won’t even hiccup.
Do balloons affect airplanes?
Large clusters of free-flying helium-filled balloons
may distract pilots during critical stages
of flight (such as take-off or landing) and/or be ingested by aircraft engines. This may in turn endanger lives and cause harm to the property – in the air and on the ground.
How far can a balloon float?
Moving at just three miles-per-hour, a helium-filled Mylar® balloon can travel
more than 1,000 miles
before it returns to Earth. That means a balloon released in St. Louis could realistically reach the Atlantic Ocean before descending.
How high can hydrogen balloon go?
High-altitude balloons are crewed or uncrewed balloons, usually filled with helium or hydrogen, that are released into the stratosphere, generally attaining
between 18 and 37 km (11 and 23 mi; 59,000 and 121,000 ft) above sea level
.
What is the highest balloon flight?
- Vijaypat Singhania – November 26th, 2005, India – 69,850 feet.
- Per Lindstrand – October 24th, 2014, United States – 64,997 feet.
- Per Lindstrand – January 15th, 1991, Japan to Canada, 4,767 miles.
- Bertrand Piccard – March 1st, 1999, Switzerland to Egypt (around the world), ~25,000 miles.
Is it bad to release balloons?
Balloons pose a risk to wildlife & the environment. …
All released balloons
, whether they are released intentionally or not, return to Earth as ugly litter – including those marketed as “biodegradable latex”. Balloons kill countless animals and cause dangerous power outages.
Has anyone died on a hot air balloon?
Despite these regulations, hot air balloon accidents can and do happen. The National Transportation Safety Board began investigating hot air balloon accidents in 1964. Of the 775 reported accidents that have occurred since then,
70
have caused deaths of passengers. 16 of those deaths happened in the past 14 years.
Where is releasing balloons illegal?
Mass release of balloons is illegal in several states and cities, including
Virginia
. Jurisdictions that have laws in effect dealing with balloon releases include: Connecticut, Florida, Tennessee, New York, Texas, California and Virginia.
Is releasing helium balloons illegal?
Mass release of
balloons is illegal in several states
and cities, including Virginia. Jurisdictions that have laws in effect dealing with balloon releases include: Connecticut, Florida, Tennessee, New York, Texas, California and Virginia.
How did James glaisher survive?
Glaisher
lost consciousness
during the ascent and Coxwell
How high can you fly a balloon without oxygen?
A hot air balloon can go
up to 12,000 feet
before oxygen is needed. If you have signed up for a hot air balloon ride on your next vacation, you won’t have to worry about oxygen. The hot air balloon you take will stay well below the 12,0000 feet that would require oxygen.
