From The Archives: New Incentives For Research Balloons

High-altitude research balloons were providing an affordable alternative to rockets carrying payloads of 2.5 tons aloft to 130,000 ft. for periods of up to 40 hours, we reported in our October 23, 1989 issue.

We reported that NASA was to launch around 50 balloons in 1990.

NASA's largest free-flying balloon had a 28-million-cu.-ft. capacity and was 600 ft. high with a diameter of 414 ft. at its cruising altitude.

See the cover and read the full issue dated October 23, 1989. 

Read the feature on page 34. 

Enjoy unlimited access to the complete Aviation Week Archive, which features over 100 Years of Aviation Week content at your fingertips.

Every issue, every page, every article we have ever published. Your subscription includes full access to the archives, plus current Aviation Week & Space Technology articles (both digital and print packages available).