murrays 0 #1 August 25, 2003 Unfortunately, I have just heard from the launch site that Michel Fournier's balloon envelope failed as it was launched. He was in his capsule, the balloon was fully inflated and when it was released it ripped. I don't have any more details. I am very sorry to hear this as Michel Fournier and his crew are super guys and it is a shame to see the years of work go for naught when they were so close. My deepest regrets.-- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lazyfrog 0 #2 August 25, 2003 can they buid a new envelope for the balloon ??? at least nobody got physically hurt... Michel, on y croit---------- Fumer tue, péter pue ------------- ourson #10, Mosquito Uno, CBT 579 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
djjazz 0 #3 August 25, 2003 That sucks. Is the balloon skin too thin? I thought that was the same problem of Fall 2002. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
murrays 0 #4 August 25, 2003 Quotecan they buid a new envelope for the balloon ??? at least nobody got physically hurt... Michel, on y croit I don't think a new envelope is a possibility....likely depends on whether funds can be raised. It is fortunate that it failed at ground level and not at a low altitude where Michel wouldn't have been able to get out and open a parachute. If there is a silver lining to this...it is that he was uninjured. The material these balloons are made of is like Saran wrap...very thin, light...but that is what they build them from. This envelope was built by a firm in Britain that specializes in this sort of material and construction. I think they used the best firm available for the construction of the balloon envelope.-- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
