April 1st....
Hmmm. Anyone thinking this might just be some big prank, sending up a ton of tech using a giant inflated condom, given the date...?
NASA is gearing up for the fourth launch of its high-altitude, heavy-lift super pressure balloon (SPB) tech, which involves hosting a 1,025kg payload aloft under a helium-filled "pumpkin-shaped, football stadium-size balloon" crafted from "22-acres of polyethylene film - similar to a sandwich bag, but stronger". The SPB will …
No! No! NO!
Don't sue. Simply use the SPB logo prominently in your FAA application, but reapply with your own NASA logo as well, and try to imply that you are part of NASA. After all, turnabout is fair play. And it should certainly improve the speediness of your dealings with the FAA.
Now we just need to get working on the backronym...
Nonsensical Aeronautical Silliness Agency
Non Alcoholic (Sometimes) Aeronautics
Sorry, not having much luck with cudgelling answers from the old brain this arvo.
After that period of flight of 54 days, how do they intend to retrieve the gear?
a) They don't. It becomes a crater or generates a splash in some ocean, or....
b) GPS and chutes?
c) If all goes well, the balloon won't simply pop and can slowly descend after losing some gas?
I assume the research gear isn't exactly... er....inexpensive and becoming a crater is cost-effective?
Pics look to me like there is a parachute between the instrument package and the ballon. My guess is they monitor the balloon's position and detatch the balloon part when they want to retrieve the instruments - provided there is a suitable landing zone (the OZ outback should do). The sandwich bag will be lost, but as Queasy Rider has already pointed out it wouldn't be re-use able anyway.