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The world altitude record for hot-air balloons21,027 m, 68,986 ft26th November 2005. Mumbai, India
Andy and his team were approached by Air Commodore Vijaypat Singhania to assist him in breaking the world altitude for hot-air balloons. Andy and his team designed, built and procured all the equipment necessary for his attempt - and even taught him to fly balloons. The project's preparation and the flight created considerable news coverage in the Indian and UK broadcast and print media.
The Capsule
In order for a man to survive at extreme altitudes breathing oxygen is not enough, the balloon pilot needs to be kept either in a space suit or a pressurised capsule. The capsule is a lightweight aluminium structure, with several windows and a large Perspex viewing dome. Inside the capsule the pilot sits on a special energy absorbing-seat surveying an impressive array of instruments, radios and flight controls. The air inside the capsule is maintained within breathable limits by an automatic system that removes the carbon dioxide that the pilot breathes out, and adds additional oxygen to replace that consumed by the pilot. The capsule's additional systems included a four-camera video system with microwave transmitter, and n emergency parachute to bring the capsule safely to land in the event of an emergency.
The Burners
One of the key elements in high altitude balloon flight is the burner system. At 70,00o feet there is only 7% of the air that is available at sea level. Special burners had to be designed to cope with the rarefied air and the extreme cold that was encountered on the flight, and a high altitude test chamber was built to test them in (see the facilities page).
The Envelope
To make the record flight a massive balloon envelope was built. Andy and his team specified the balloon's size and materials, and designed many of the special systems in the envelope. Andy chose Cameron Balloons of Bristol England as his Envelope subcontractor, and worked closely with them to ensure the balloon met his special needs.
LinksMI70k - the project website Cameron Balloons - The world's largest manufacturer of hot-air balloons.
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