2007-02-17 06:53:39 · 6 answers · asked by peet_henry 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The highest unmanned helium balloon flight possible has been estimated to be at about 140,000 feet or 43,000 m.
The highest manned flight has been 113,739.9 feet or about 34,468 m.
2007-02-17 07:08:10 · answer #1 · answered by KingGeorge 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How high a helium balloon can fly depends on the toughness of it's skin. As the balloon rises, atmospheric pressure decreases which causes the balloon to expand in circumference. Only a tough material that would stretch well could make it to the upper atmosphere. Once it escaped our atmosphere it would almost certainly explode in the vacuum of space.
A more correct answer would be that it would climb until its buoyancy negated the weight of the balloon. This neutral buoyancy would cause it to level off and fly indefinitely.
2007-02-17 07:15:34 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the type and size of balloon and the amount of gas inside. The small balloons with which we are familiar contain party gas which is a mxture of 70% nitrogen and 30% helium. They will rise to, perhaps, 500m before bursting. If they don't burst they will normally reach level of neutral bouyancy and will not rise further. As the helium leaks out through pores in the latex, the balloon will descend.
Weather balloons usually use hydrogen rather than helium and they are designed to reach much higher in the atmosphere. They rise til they burst which is usually around 30,000m. Manned helium balloons in the 1960s got to well above 35,000m.
High altitude balloons are designed to expand rather than burst.
2007-02-17 07:13:44 · answer #3 · answered by tentofield 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It can climb as long as the difference in weight of the helium and the outside air stays in the right ratio.
As the outside gets thinner this point gets closer then it will stop rising
2007-02-18 03:52:34 · answer #4 · answered by Billy Butthead 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they cant leave the atmosphere. and if they get too high the pressure will most likely make them pop. so im thinking a few hundred feet give or take a 500 feet
2007-02-17 11:57:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they dont make it that top up, the explanation being is they're filled too plenty. through fact the balloon rises up one thousand meters (would be pushing it) they're going to burst through fact the strain is low and the gas interior the balloon expands, the balloon rips. they dont fly for long sufficient for the gasses to slowly get away.
2016-10-15 12:56:52 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋