Project Manhigh

Manhigh II gondola

An experimental program begun in December 1955 to study the behavior of a balloon in an environment above 99% of Earth's atmosphere and to investigate cosmic rays and their effects on human beings. Three balloon flights to the edge of space were made during the program:

Manhigh 1 to 29,500 m, by Captain Joseph Kittinger on Jun. 2, 1957
Manhigh 2 to 30,900 m, by Major David Simons on Aug. 19-20, 1957
Manhigh 3 to 29,900 m by Lieutenant Clifton McClure on Oct. 8, 1958.

Including pilot and scientific equipment, the total mass of the Manhigh 2 gondola was 748 kg. At maximum altitude, the balloon expanded to a diameter of 60 m with a volume of over 85,000 cubic meters.

Related categories

• MANNED SPACEFLIGHT
• SPACE AND AEROSPACE MEDICINE

Source: National Museum of the USAF

Also on this site:

Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living
Encyclopedia of History

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