[aprssig] [aprsisce] Transatlantic balloon attempt

[R. Rochte]

The descent rate right now is consistent with what I have seen from zero
pressure balloons (including solar Montgolfieres) after sun down.  Almost
certainly not a burst event or anything like that - just a simple cooling
of the gas.  It's still a long way down to the tropopause from there and it
will likely slow down as it approaches.  If it does, indeed, drop below the
tropopause before the sun comes up, then it will start to drop like a rock
(well, not quite, but a lot faster than we're seeing now).

The big question is, how is their ballast-release controlled?  There was a
tweet earlier that seemed to suggest it was timer-based and should have
already occurred by now.  If there is also an active ballast release system
on board (e.g., altitude dependent), then perhaps the flight is just
getting started.

73,
Robert  KC8UCH

On Sat, Mar 24, 2012 at 7:52 PM, Greg D <ko6th.greg at gmail.com> wrote:

>  One more, 88,935 ft at 23:45z, but only 16mph.  I hope it isn't looking
> out at the vast expanse of ocean ahead and chickening out.  Where is that
> jet stream, anyway?
>
> Greg  KO6TH
>
>
>
> Lynn W. Deffenbaugh (Mr) wrote:
>
> Could be a pop and tumble, although I hope not.  At 89,662 feet, the
> copying Digi/IGate pair are right at the edge of the coverage footprint.
>
>   Note: 349 miles from balloon to digi and another 20 miles to the IGate.
>
> Lynn (D) - KJ4ERJ - Author of APRSISCE for Windows Mobile and Win32
>
> On 3/24/2012 7:15 PM, Greg D wrote:
>
> Not so fast...  aprs.fi just reported a ping at 23:11z.  Dropped a bit in
> altitude and speed.  It may be a long night.
>
> Greg  KO6TH
>
>
> Steve Noskowicz wrote:
>
>
> Looks like we'll all be wondering until some time in the morning...  Good
> luck Mr. Balloon.
>
> --
> 73, Steve, K9DCI
>
>
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