depscribe's photos with the keyword: balloon

Pretty in the late-afternoon sky

06 Nov 2016 163
Never was the phrase "wild blue yonder" more appropriate.

There it goes!

06 Nov 2016 190
And it's off! The balloon went almost straight up on the windless day, but did find a breeze a thousand feet up or so, and headed almost due south.

There was a countdown. Two, actually.

06 Nov 2016 180
Final check before countdown.

Everything set?

06 Nov 2016 162
Almost ready for launch. The orange item is the parachute that it was hoped would save the payload once the balloon popped. Note the crewman's emergency slingshot -- for use, for instance, if it took off before the instruments were turned on, making recovery nearly impossible.

Here's the instrument package

06 Nov 2016 179
The payload comprised an audible beacon at left, a GPS tracking device designed to help find the payload when and where it ultimately came down, center, and a GoPro camera to see the sights from the balloon's altitude.

The payload is the purpose of the exercise

06 Nov 2016 158
Checking to make sure everything is turned on.

Hang on tight!

06 Nov 2016 184
The payload is tied to the balloon.

And grow

06 Nov 2016 166
Soon the balloon was THIS BIG!

But soon it will take on shape

06 Nov 2016 146
Crew and well wishers recorded the launch.

It doesn't look like much now . . .

06 Nov 2016 182
Amy Gibas, kneeling, and crew start to inflate the balloon with helium. It is to carry a 1.2-pound payload comprising a GoPro camera, a GPS tracker, and an audible beacon to aid in recovery.

Disappearing into the clouds

03 May 2016 118
It rose at about a 45-degree angle, due to strong winds. GPS data had it going 160 miles per hour at one point.

A few feet in the air

Ready for release

At altitude it will be 20 feet in diameter

03 May 2016 148
She is using a scale here to measure its lift.

Getting bigger

Starting to resemble a balloon

Inflation begins


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