Comments on: Talking Near-Future Space Tourism On bloon With zero2infinity CEO Jose Mariano

By: Anil Polat

Anil Polat — Sun, 15 May 2011 22:23:33 +0000

In reply to Cailin. That would be so cool...and I would love to see that video, you know I'm a huge fan of your skills!

By: Cailin

Cailin — Sat, 14 May 2011 20:56:36 +0000

I am dying to go to outerspace!!!!!!!!!! I would prefer a trip to the moon, but I think the bloon would suffice for now.
Time to start saving money!!
I want to know when they will start having competitions for trips to space? I would make the best video ever to win that competition! 🙂

By: Tijmen

Tijmen — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 09:19:45 +0000

In reply to Jose Mariano. That sounds like a great solution having a transponder with the ballon to track and pick it up later :) Thanks for the explanation

By: Jose Mariano

Jose Mariano — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 13:06:44 +0000

Hey Tijman,

That’s a great question! I totally agree that we have do keep the environment clean, it’s at the core of our vision. The balloon has a transponder (a device that broadcast its position) and a radar reflector. That way it can be tracked after it separates. It also has a valve that lets most of the helium escape. Helium is a noble gas and does no harm. Then it gently falls back to Earth and a chase team picks it up, rolls it, tests the electronics and recycle the balloon film. This is how we start and how these balloons routinely fly all around the world with robotic payloads. There is no debris nor waste.

Space junk only comes from rockets and is orbiting is way above, at at least 200km of altitude.

By: Anil Polat

Anil Polat — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 08:53:06 +0000

In reply to Tijmen. Sure thing, I've sent your question Jose's way...