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02/09/2003
Balloon ascent thwarted by icing risk
A world record altitude attempt by two balloonists has had to be suspended due to unsuitable weather conditions.
The two British pilots Colin Prescot and Andy Elson are bidding to better an altitude record of 34,668m (113,740ft) set by an American pair in 1961.
Prescot and Elson were due to don their heated pressure suits and begin their ascent today, but concerns over the risk of possible icing conditions have delayed the attempt until tomorrow.
Mr Prescot said that the delay was "frustrating", but that the decision to delay the attempt was a unanimous one.
Even a small layer ice on the surface of their QinetiQ 1 balloon’s envelope could add several tonnes of mass. When fully inflated the massive balloon, a polyethylene envelope little thicker than a freezer bag, which is the largest of its type ever constructed, will stand 390m (1,270ft) tall.
Meteorologists are predicting improved weather conditions tomorrow, when the pair will attempt to reach 39,500m (130,000ft).
Today’s bid was delayed when meteorology reports indicated several layers of cloud along the proposed flight path.
Pioneer altitude balloonists Vic Prather and Malcolm Ross set the 1961 record for an open basket balloon. Prather was killed in an accident during the recovery of the pilots from the water.
(SP)
The two British pilots Colin Prescot and Andy Elson are bidding to better an altitude record of 34,668m (113,740ft) set by an American pair in 1961.
Prescot and Elson were due to don their heated pressure suits and begin their ascent today, but concerns over the risk of possible icing conditions have delayed the attempt until tomorrow.
Mr Prescot said that the delay was "frustrating", but that the decision to delay the attempt was a unanimous one.
Even a small layer ice on the surface of their QinetiQ 1 balloon’s envelope could add several tonnes of mass. When fully inflated the massive balloon, a polyethylene envelope little thicker than a freezer bag, which is the largest of its type ever constructed, will stand 390m (1,270ft) tall.
Meteorologists are predicting improved weather conditions tomorrow, when the pair will attempt to reach 39,500m (130,000ft).
Today’s bid was delayed when meteorology reports indicated several layers of cloud along the proposed flight path.
Pioneer altitude balloonists Vic Prather and Malcolm Ross set the 1961 record for an open basket balloon. Prather was killed in an accident during the recovery of the pilots from the water.
(SP)
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