Purpose of the flight and payload description
This was an uncrewed test balloon mission for StratEx, a private effort known as the Stratospheric Exploration project, aimed to develop a system enabling an individual to ascend to, explore, and safely return from the stratosphere. This system was analogous to a SCUBA suit designed for underwater exploration, focusing on simplicity, safety, and lightweight design compared to traditional capsule-based systems. Conceptualized in December 2011 by Alan Eustace, Senior Vice President of Knowledge at Google Inc. pilot and an avid skydiver in collaboration with Paragon Space Development Corporation, the mission sought to address the feasibility of creating a self-contained system for human stratospheric exploration.
The StratEx mission employed an intricate array of hardware to ensure a successful and safe stratospheric flight and descent. The main component was the Pressure Suit Assembly, which included a pressurized suit maintaining 37.2 kPa, an equipment module with oxygen tanks, batteries, and avionics, and a flight recovery system. The suit integrated oxygen regulation, thermal control, and communication systems to ensure pilot safety and functionality in extreme conditions.
The descent system used multiple parachutes, including a drogue for stability, a main chute, and an automatic backup, with an anti-entanglement mechanism for safe deployment.
Details of the balloon flight
Balloon launched on: 6/29/2014 at
Launch site: Roswell Industrial Air Center, New Mexico, US
Balloon launched by: Paragon Space Development Corporation
Balloon manufacturer/size/composition: Zero Pressure Balloon TIFR 420.000 m3
End of flight (L for landing time, W for last contact, otherwise termination time): 6/29/2014
Landing site: Aborted flight due to high winds and balloon collar failure
External references
- StratEX project website Paragon SDC
- StratEx Mission Overview 45th International Conference on Environmental Systems, July 2015
Images of the mission
If you consider this website interesting or useful, you can help me to keep it up and running with a small donation to cover the operational costs. Just the equivalent of the price of a cup of coffee helps a lot.
