If we can sail through space in big sailing ships, why can't they take off using big hot air balloons?

Question

We have seen hot air balloons go as high as the edge of space, so why not use them to carry up the giant sailing ships. Then release the ballon when no longer needed?

Answer 1

A balloon can get you way up in the atmosphere. But it can't get you all the way out of the atmosphere, otherwise what would hold up the balloon? So you go up as high as you can, and you deploy your sail. The friction with the atmosphere would prevent the sail from accelerating very much---it would reach "terminal velocity" in the air at a very low speed, much, much lower than the 50,000 km/hr you need to get into orbit.

What would work is to lift a rocket with a ballon (this is called a "rockoon"), fire off the rocket to get into a high orbit, then deploy your sail.

Answer 2

The ammount of helium needed to raise a large sailing ship would burst the balloon at high altitudes due to decreased atmosphereic pressure. This would be a good idea except that you would also have to have an artificial atmosphere around the ship.

Answer 3

A group of post-graduate students in Cambridge have been working to develop this method of spacecraft launch. They've so far managed to launch a helium balloon up to the edge of space and take photos from there, and safely return the camera to earth, all for about £1000.

It is hoped that this will lead to future use of lighter than air balloons as platforms for launches into space.

http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/news/dp/2006091501

Answer 4

Hot Air Balloon, I am Afraid of the Water, Dude!

Answer 5

SIMPLE ANSWER, BECAUSE OF THE WEIGHT OF THE "SPACE" SHIPS ARE MORE THAN THE BALLOONS CAN CARRY. THE BALLOON WOULD HAVE TO BE A MASSIVE SIZE. PLUS THE BALLOON HAS TO FALL BACK DOWN TO EATRH CAUSING MORE RISK.

Answer 6

because its too cold inspace for hot air.