How do I get a 1500 gram weather balloon to fly higher than 90,000 feet without poping due to the atmosphere?

Question

I want to fly a balloon higher than 90,000 feet. It doesn't have to be 1500 grams but that's around the size. Any tips?

Answer 1

Here are some things I have notice from experience about weather balloons that have a slightly better chance of reaching the pressure level of 5 mb or less before bursting.  

- Don't over inflate.  Put a little extra gas and they usually burst before reaching the 20 mb level.

- A slightly warped balloon (the ones with a slightly odd shape or patchy thin spots usually are the high fliers.  I don't know why this occurs, but they tend to get up higher than those balloons that have the almost perfect shape and uniform thickness. But if they look too warped or the thin spots look too thin, I would consider getting another balloon.

- Want high fliers, don't use the "severe weather balloons".  They are extra thick and are designed to be launch in severe conditions...like strong wind shear, hail, icing, and maybe even freezing rain.  Basically, you use them in order to increase their chance to make it up to the required 400 mb level.  But at very high levels they don't stretch very well and will usually will burst before reaching the 100 mb level.

- Fill the balloon slowly...especially when it is cold outside.

- Do not under inflate. You will end up with a floater.

- And what ever you do, make sure you notified the local FAA to get clearance.  A NOTAM must be issue so pilots will be in the lookout for this balloon.  No clearance, don't launch!