This clause first appeared in matter 7 of our free digital magazineCURIOUS .
Inissue 5 of CURIOUSwe mentioned HALO Space , an challenging company with big plans to send people into space in a balloon . Well , more of a capsule suspend by a balloon . The curious contraption give rider a 360 - degree panorama of Earth as they drift down from the stratosphere , or at least it will if all go well in the lede - up to HALO Space ’s estimated commercial launching of 2025 .
Since they first come on our radio detection and ranging , HALO Space has been busy direct their first mental test flight to send one of their balloon , complete with a full - size uncrewed capsule , 40 kilometers ( 25 miles ) into the melody , which in December 2022 they successfully did . To learn more about the heights and lows of sound to space in a balloon , we caught up with the folks over at HALO Space to hear how the first test flight went and see out how soon we can carry to see humans float through the stratosphere .
It’s a pretty incredible view from up there. Image credit: HALO Space
draw a blank flying kite , Poppins . We ’re rifle space ballooning .
What is the HALO Space balloon ?
Carlos Mira , CEO : The balloon is made of a polycarbonate fabric and has a maximum dimension of between 110 and 120 metres [ 360 and 394 feet ] , the distance of a football game field , at full denotation . The balloon reaches that size at an altitude of 35 kilometres [ 22 miles ] , when the gas filling it is in full expand . The gasses used to inflate it will be He or atomic number 1 . The balloon connect to the capsule with a flight string .
How did the trial run flight go ?
CM : Our first trial flight decease exactly as planned , delivering successful outcome for all system and components being test . The balloon , carry a full - sizing epitome of our capsule , flew to an altitude of 37 kilometre [ 23 sea mile ] into the stratosphere and landed safely and successfully after a flight that lasted four hours . The most important thing is that the flight present the behaviour of the HALO capsule at launching , ascent , sail , descent , and landing place , as well as prophylactic systems , basis and onboard equipment , which are the most critical parts of HALO ’s flight programme .
Is the balloon piloted or ego - get ?
CM : During the test phase , such as the recent mental test flight in India , the capsule is uncrewed . However , following completion of all require tests , the balloon and ejection seat will be fly by a pilot who will be able to point the flight and find out the landing place location to be used , updating the path with real time data during the flight .
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How many masses will it eventually carry , and for how long ?
CM : The capsule will be able-bodied to take eight passenger alongside a cowcatcher . The commercial-grade flight will flee between 25 - 40 km [ 16 - 25 miles ] gamey allow passengers to observe the curve of planet Earth and the vastness of infinite in a flight of stairs lasting up to six hours .
Is the balloon really run to blank ?
CM : The balloon will take rider to “ near quad ” [ somewhere between the Armstrong limit at 19 kilometres ( 12 miles ) and the Kármán line ] , to a maximal height of 40 kilometres .
What do you hope to achieve during the next test flight ?
CM : The 2d test flight of stairs is scheduled for the first half of 2023 in southern Spain , where HALO Space will prove the steerable parachute navigation system of rules as well as advancement to its current system based on what has been find out from its first flying .
What sight can future visitors carry to see while ride with HALO Space ?
CM : We want to give customers a life-time - alter experience , TheOverview Effect – a view of the curvature of the Earth that can only be have start at an altitude of 30 + kilometres [ 19 + miles ] . Astronauts have identify it as a state of awe with ego - transcendent caliber , come down by a particularly striking optic stimulus , from space .
What obstacles does HALO Space have to surmount before tickets go on sale ?
CM : Safety is of course our highest priority , and we will be continuing our extensive testing program in the come years , admit achieving FAA certificate . We plan to set out operate commercial-grade flight in 2025 and aim to reach up to 400 commercial-grade trips with 3,000 rider carried per year by 2029 .
Does the idea of drifting to the mid - stratosphere in a balloon blow your sauceboat ? With just two years until HALO Space ’s estimated launch date , you ’d best get think .
CURIOUS magazineis a digital cartridge holder from IFLScience feature interviews , experts , deep dives , sport fact , intelligence , book excerpt , and much more . Issue 10 is out now .
