Author Topic: World View (stratospheric balloons)  (Read 28665 times)

Offline Jim

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Re: World View (balloon rides to the edge of space)
« Reply #20 on: 10/26/2014 08:13 pm »

I would suggest that if this doesn't qualify as a space topic, neither does a rover on Mars. Perhaps the cruise phase of the vehicle that delivered the payload but the rover is within a planetary atmosphere.

A rover on Mars is off planet and is in "space".  Balloons are still within the earth's atmosphere.  A mars balloon would be a worthy discussion. 

Offline sanman

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Re: World View (balloon rides to the edge of space)
« Reply #21 on: 10/27/2014 03:31 am »
Fine, it's not "real spaceflight", just like sending people to live in some isolated enclosure in Antarctica or on the upper slopes of Mauna Loa in Hawaii isn't a "real Mars mission". But neither do they take away from real spaceflight activities, and might in some ways whet the appetites of people for the real thing. Floating up so high, you've got just about everything except the weightlessness.

Since JP Aerospace showcased their ballooning expertise with their Ascender idea, I wonder if they'd consider offering these kinds of balloon flights to would-be space tourists.

Offline QuantumG

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Re: World View (balloon rides to the edge of space)
« Reply #22 on: 10/27/2014 03:34 am »
A rover on Mars is off planet and is in "space". 

We're all in space, man. Did you perhaps mean "outer space". :)

I'm glad that XCOR (and perhaps Virgin Galactic too) have decided to start flying (and selling seats on) vehicles they can actually achieve, even if it doesn't fit some arbitrary definition. If customers are willing to buy, sell it to them!

Human spaceflight is basically just LARPing now.

Offline Prober

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Re: World View (balloon rides to the edge of space)
« Reply #23 on: 10/27/2015 03:21 pm »
Guess some news has come out on this ...

World View successfully completed a major milestone test flight on October 24th, 2015, keeping the company on track to meet its 2017 goal for manned private flights to the edge of space. This test flight carried a scaled down, replica spacecraft to a final altitude of 100,475 feet (30,624 meters), successfully marking the transition from sub-scale testing to a historical next stage of development – full scale testing.

http://worldviewexperience.com/photos/
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Offline catdlr

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Re: World View (balloon rides to the edge of space)
« Reply #24 on: 10/27/2015 06:54 pm »
October 24, 2015: Milestone 10% Scale Test Flight

Published on Oct 26, 2015
World View, the commercial spaceflight company, has successfully completed a major milestone test flight, keeping the company on track to meet its 2017 goal for manned private flights to the edge of space. This test flight carried a scaled down, replica spacecraft to a final altitude of 100,475 feet (30624 meters), successfully marking the transition from sub-scale testing to a historical next stage of development – full scale testing.

World View is a space experience launching in 2017 that presents a drastically different approach to the adrenaline-laced rocket ride we think of today. World View will have its Voyagers, planet earth's new class of discerning explorers, gliding peacefully along the edge of space for a two-hour sailing-like experience within a luxury capsule transported via high-altitude balloon.

WEBSITE:
http://www.worldviewexperience.com



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Offline meekGee

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Re: World View (balloon rides to the edge of space)
« Reply #25 on: 10/28/2015 06:32 pm »
October 24, 2015: Milestone 10% Scale Test Flight

Published on Oct 26, 2015
World View, the commercial spaceflight company, has successfully completed a major milestone test flight, keeping the company on track to meet its 2017 goal for manned private flights to the edge of space. This test flight carried a scaled down, replica spacecraft to a final altitude of 100,475 feet (30624 meters), successfully marking the transition from sub-scale testing to a historical next stage of development – full scale testing.

World View is a space experience launching in 2017 that presents a drastically different approach to the adrenaline-laced rocket ride we think of today. World View will have its Voyagers, planet earth's new class of discerning explorers, gliding peacefully along the edge of space for a two-hour sailing-like experience within a luxury capsule transported via high-altitude balloon.

WEBSITE:
http://www.worldviewexperience.com



The video skipped the adrenaline-laced landing...
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Offline Prober

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Re: World View (balloon rides to the edge of space)
« Reply #26 on: 10/29/2015 09:46 pm »
Think we re going to need a bigger balloon  :D
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Offline Kansan52

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Re: World View (balloon rides to the edge of space)
« Reply #27 on: 10/29/2015 10:02 pm »
What's it look like after it lands?

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Re: World View (balloon rides to the edge of space)
« Reply #28 on: 01/21/2017 10:26 am »
Quote
One of the @WorldViewSpace 'Stratolites'  which take scientific equipment to 100,000ft. Behind, a prototype full size passenger module.

https://twitter.com/spenley/status/822735582145220608

Spencer Kelly is the lead presenter of the BBC's technology/gadget magazine show called Click. As he appears to have visited Workd View, I imagine they'll be featured in a forthcoming show.

Online FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: World View (balloon rides to the edge of space)
« Reply #29 on: 01/21/2017 11:42 am »
Quote
Would you pay $75,000 for a balloon ride to the edge of space? We got exclusive access to @WorldViewSpace in Tucson, AZ. Only on @BBCClick

https://twitter.com/nickkwek/status/822765896221491201

Offline JAFO

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Re: World View (balloon rides to the edge of space)
« Reply #30 on: 01/21/2017 07:01 pm »
It's an ego/adventure thing. People gotta spend their money some way, for 75k you could have a 1 in 4 chance of dying while climbing Everest, or you could do this and put some money into the aerospace industry.

It's not Space, but it's Aerospace. I've got no problem with it being on the forum.
« Last Edit: 01/21/2017 07:06 pm by JAFO »
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Offline meekGee

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Re: World View (balloon rides to the edge of space)
« Reply #31 on: 01/21/2017 07:53 pm »
It's an ego/adventure thing. People gotta spend their money some way, for 75k you could have a 1 in 4 chance of dying while climbing Everest, or you could do this and put some money into the aerospace industry.

It's not Space, but it's Aerospace. I've got no problem with it being on the forum.
Hey, and it gives suborbital firms like VG something to look down on.

Win-win!
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Offline Welsh Dragon

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Re: World View (balloon rides to the edge of space)
« Reply #32 on: 01/22/2017 02:50 pm »
It's on BBC News24 now. Missed the start myself.

Offline A_M_Swallow

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Re: World View (balloon rides to the edge of space)
« Reply #33 on: 01/23/2017 08:27 am »
It's on BBC News24 now. Missed the start myself.

The World View balloon was in the News 24 program Click January 22, 2017 issue.

In the UK this can be seen for the next 11 months using BBC iPlayer service.

Online FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: World View (balloon rides to the edge of space)
« Reply #34 on: 02/28/2017 08:57 pm »
Quote
Great feature story on World View by @SPACEdotcom! Check it out here:
http://bit.ly/2mxmSHG

https://twitter.com/worldviewspace/status/836318937625178112

Online FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: World View (balloon rides to the edge of space)
« Reply #35 on: 03/31/2017 05:36 pm »
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Click here for a 360 VR tour of Biosphere 2, our facility, a WV test flight, and trip to the edge of space! http://on.mash.to/2ojrpBy @Within

https://twitter.com/worldviewspace/status/847842942383398913

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Re: World View (balloon rides to the edge of space)
« Reply #36 on: 12/20/2017 07:56 pm »
Quote
Balloon explodes at Spaceport Tucson, no injuries reported

[…]
"There were no injuries and only superficial facility damage at the site."

http://tucson.com/news/local/balloon-explodes-at-spaceport-tucson-no-injuries-reported/article_6a3b5558-e4fc-11e7-b0d3-97f88bb96b88.amp.html

Offline Dalhousie

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Re: World View (balloon rides to the edge of space)
« Reply #37 on: 12/30/2017 04:57 am »
Fine, it's not "real spaceflight", just like sending people to live in some isolated enclosure in Antarctica or on the upper slopes of Mauna Loa in Hawaii isn't a "real Mars mission".

They are however research projects designed to work towards real missions.

Apologies in advance for any lack of civility - it's unintended

Offline Svetoslav

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Re: World View (balloon rides to the edge of space)
« Reply #38 on: 12/30/2017 05:55 am »
The Stratollite turned out to be something great.

Offline Sam Ho

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Re: World View (balloon rides to the edge of space)
« Reply #39 on: 01/03/2018 05:01 am »
Quote
Balloon explodes at Spaceport Tucson, no injuries reported

[…]
"There were no injuries and only superficial facility damage at the site."

http://tucson.com/news/local/balloon-explodes-at-spaceport-tucson-no-injuries-reported/article_6a3b5558-e4fc-11e7-b0d3-97f88bb96b88.amp.html

Short video of the incident at the link below. They were reportedly testing hydrogen as the lifting gas.

https://arizonadailyindependent.com/2017/12/20/video-shows-world-view-explosion-sending-flames-into-the-sky/

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