Just updated on #StratoCat important events and dates of #scientific ballooning history that occurred in #February
- First balloon flight in Antarctica
- MOBY DICK project #balloon sets record
- 7 mice survive six days in balloon #gondola
- BAL-AST telescope observes #Venus
- Nick #Piantanida's 2nd free fall attempt
- #Challenger deploys balloon device in orbit
- Steve #Fossett completes 1st.solo #transpacific balloon flight
...and much more
On February 2nd, 1966, Nick #Piantanida an NJ truck driver and parachutist made his 2nd attempt at a stratospheric jump as part of project #STRATOJUMP.
After a successful #balloon launch from Sioux Falls (SD), the pilot reached the bailout altitude of 125.000 ft, but when he prepared to jump, the oxygen hose connection failed to detach. Without any tool to resolve the issue, he was forced to land on its #gondola in a cornfield in Iowa.
Images belong to #LIFE collection
StratoCat