We tried zero pressure balloons (Mylar party balloons) but the max possible height was just 23,000 feet or so due to the weight of the balloon itself. It's a direct calculation. So we paralleled balloons, but still, no matter how many balloons you add, the math still comes out to asymptotically approach the same max altitude due to the mass of the balloon material itself and its volume.
We did learn one other thing. With 5 under filled Mylar balloons to reach a cruise altitude around 23,000 feet (from memory?) we sent the cut-down command and nothing happened. (launching from Maryland is a guaranteed ocean landing unless you can come down in 65 miles or so)...
On recovery, we found one balloon had burst, and so it hung DOWN from the other 4 and got all wrapped around the payload. So when we sent the cut-down command, it worked, but the entangled lines kept everything together.
But now with only 4 of the 5 balloons providing lift, it came down at a very slow rate... about the same as the ascent rate... which means we chased it TWICE as far as intended.
Oh the fun of discovery! The event is shown on our web page (Spycam mission starts about 30% down the page) http://aprs.org/balloons.html
Bob, Wb4APR
-----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Richard Tejera Sent: Friday, December 23, 2016 3:08 PM To: Dave Marthouse; 'AMSAT' Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Questions On Balloons With Amateur Packages
Dave,
Knowing the weight of the payload, they will fill it with enough gas to become neutrally buoyant at the target altitude.
If altitude is the goal, enough gas will be filled to take it to an altitude that will exceed the Burt diameter.
Rick Tejera K7TEJ Saguaro Astronomy Club www.SaguaroAstro.org Thunderbird Amateur Radio Club www.w7tbc.org
On December 23, 2016, at 11:01, Dave Marthouse dmarthouse@gmail.com wrote:
I have seen posts from time to time on the BB about balloons with amateur radio payloads on them.
I've got a question regarding the missions that carry payloads around the world. What stops the balloons from going up until they explode do to the high altitude. How are the packages kept from doing this to achieve such long distance flights?