[ Home ] [ Why Eagle? ] [ Apollo 11 Crew ]

The MANHIGH Project - A Balloon in SPACE!

Project Manhigh was established in December 1955 to obtain scientific data on the behavior of a balloon in an environment above 99% of the earth's atmosphere and to investigate cosmic rays and their effects on man.

Three balloon flights to the edge of space were made during the program:

  1. Manhigh 1 to 97,000 feet, by Captain Joseph Kittinger on 2 June 1957;
  2. Manhigh II to 101,516 feet, by Major David Simons on 19 and 20 August, 1957;
  3. and Manhigh III to 98,000 feet by Lieutenant Clifton McClure on 8 October 1958.

The pressurized capsule pictured at left was used by Major Simons on his 32-hour flight to 101,516 feet, thereby establishing an altitude record for manned balloons. Including the pilot and scientific equipment carried aboard, the total weight of the Manhigh II gondola was 1,648 pounds. At maximum altitude, the balloon expanded to a diameter of 200 feet with a volume in excess of 3,000,000 cubic feet.

Above is the Gondola used with the Manhigh II project.  The cramped capsule, three feet in diameter and nine feet high, was crammed with batteries, cameras, a radio and medical equipment to monitor his heart beat and temperature.
 

At right  is a picture of the control panel of the Gondola, as viewed through one of the port holes.