Helium balloon in sratosphere for space lovers!!!!!!!!!

The ultimate hot air balloon: Capsule that can take brave (and wealthy) explorers into Earth's stratosphere to launch in two years

A helium balloon that will take enterprising travellers into Earth's stratosphere is due to take off in just two years.
The 'Bloon' will climb to a height of 22miles thanks to a huge balloon measuring 420ft in diameter.
The five-hour experience would cost an astronomical £90,000 per person but would offer 'space tourists' the chance to glimpse the curvature of the Earth.

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Pod with a view: Space tourists will be able to see the curvature of the Earth during their five-hour trip

Conditions on the 'near-spaceship' should be fairly comfortable as the pressurised pod, which is 13ft in diameter, would offer plenty of space for the two pilots and up to four guests. The room temperature would allow visitors to be in 'shirt sleeves.'
On 'their trip of a lifetime' visitors would experience a three-hour cruise at an altitude where they could watch the Sun dawning over our planet.

 

Then the sail would be vented and descend until the sail separated from the pod. A parachute would then deploy to fly the pod back to Earth.
The pod, due to fly its first mission in 2013, is the brainchild of Spanish company Zero 2 Infinity.
They claim is can be flown 25miles in any direction to safely guide it to a predetermined landing site.
Entrepreneur and CEO Jose Mariano Lopez-Urdiales said he was inspired to do the project while having a conversation with his astronomer father.

Going up: The pod holding two pilots and up to four guests will ascend thanks to a helium balloon 420ft in diameter

Mr Lopez-Urdiales explains how the balloon would vent air after cruising in the stratosphere. A parachute would then open, bringing the pod back to Earth

So far he has conducted five unmanned test flights, which have soared to a height of 20miles - three times the height of an airplane's cruising height.
Mr Lopez-Urdiales, from Barcelona, said: 'Going up into the earth's stratosphere in a balloon is a lot cheaper than doing it by rocket.
'You get to spend much more time high above and there is no engine noise.
'I first had the idea about 10 years ago and since then I've found people to finance the project and built prototypes.
'We've had several successful test flights and we're almost ready to send the first people up. I think there will be many people who will want to go on the trip.
'We plan to time each flight so that passengers will be able to see the sun dawning. It's not about the prestige, it's the view from up high that people want to see.

Edge of the Earth: The view that will greet the visitors - usually only seen by astronauts

'It will be an unforgettable experience - people will be able to see stars during the day and the sun will look completely different.
'People will enjoy it because being that high reminds them they come from a planet, and are part of something much bigger.
'It brings up lots of feelings in people that we are all connected and we believe that's beneficial for the human experience.'
Passengers will be given two days safety training and be served their favourite meal while aboard.
Scientific experiments will also be carried out, including measuring the atmosphere and levels of pollution.
Jose is in talks with authorities from several countries about where the balloon will be able to take off from, but says Spain is the most likely candidate due to its good, predictable weather

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2029216/Jose-Lopez-Urdiales-bloon-helium-balloon-explorers-Earths-stratosphere.html#ixzz1VwQP3Wvr