To near-space in a balloon

[baddux]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/8717446/Helium-balloon-will-take-space-tourists-into-the-atmosphere.html

There would be couple of hour journey to 35km. Would you choose that over 5mins in sub-orbit? I probably would. I consider the view to be more remarkable experience than the weightlessness. Of course even better if you could boost a rocket from 35km -> 100 km for couple of minutes

[Apollo-phill]

On the 5 test flights noted in article, did they deploy the sail device on any of those or not - anyone know?

[edkyle99]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/8717446/Helium-balloon-will-take-space-tourists-into-the-atmosphere.html

There would be couple of hour journey to 35km. Would you choose that over 5mins in sub-orbit? I probably would. I consider the view to be more remarkable experience than the weightlessness. Of course even better if you could boost a rocket from 35km -> 100 km for couple of minutes

The only problem with this interesting idea might be ground wind limitations for liftoff.  That seemed to often cause multiple day delays with the "around the world" attempts.  One more issue could be helium cost and possibly availability. 

 - Ed Kyle