Cluster ballooning
Encyclopedia : C : CL : CLU : Cluster ballooning
![Photo by [omnibus]](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Cluster_Ballooning.jpg "Photo by [omnibus]")
Cluster ballooning is an uncommon form of ballooning whereby a single balloonist is attached by a harness to a cluster of relatively small helium-inflated rubber balloons.
Unlike traditional hot-air balloons, which possess vents for easy altitude control, cluster balloons rise uncontrollably, expanding as they do so. In order to maintain altitude, cluster balloonists must periodically cut balloons loose to maintain altitude and descend. Ballast generally takes the form of bottled water, which can be partially emptied to slow descent.
The most famous cluster balloonist is probably Larry Walters, who, in 1982, without any prior ballooning experience, attached 42 weather balloons to a lawn chair and lifted off. Having intended to rise a few hundred feet, he soared nearly three miles into the air. Though cluster ballooning predates Walters, his bizarre feat helped to raise the sport's public profile. Today, the most prominent cluster balloonist is probably John Ninomiya, whose flights have been featured on The Science Channel, The History Channel, TechTV, TLC, and MTV.
The world record the highest altitude attained cluster ballooning his held by Ian Ashpole, who on the 28 October 2001, over Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, UK using 600 toy balloons reached a height over just over 11,000 feet.
Further (possible) applications
Smaller balloon clusters consisting of several toy balloons are sometimes used for creating flying light effects by using them as carrier for lightsticks or other small light sources. They can be also used for other amateur scientific experiments, i.e. making own aerial photographs by using a TV camera and a small TV transmitter as payload or for atmospheric measurements. The advantage of small cluster balloons versus bigger balloons is, that toy balloons with or without helium filling are much easier available then bigger balloons. In fact gas filled toy balloons are available on nearly all beer festivals. Nevertheless cluster balloons can be also used for illegal things like carrying transmitters for jamming police radio in the air (which is also shown in an Italian movie made around 1960).
External links
See also
From Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Original article here. Support Wikipedia by contributing or donating.
All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License See Wikipedia Copyrights for details.