it out in New Zealand in 2013, and have since flown missions on behalf of Brazil,
Peru, Sri Lanka, Kenya, and others.
Likewise World View Enterprises was founded with the goal of increasing
access to, and the utilization of the stratosphere for scientific, commercial, and
economic purposes. The company has a full capability to manufacture balloons
and custom payloads as well as to launch them from their headquarters in Tucson,
AZ. Their business is broad, including science, government, industry, communications and the military.
There are several other commercial businesses, both in the U.S. and abroad that
utilize balloons. Some are in operation now and others are currently developing
their business capability. A good example is Space Perspective, a new company
devoted to floating paying customers to the edge of space. After marveling at the
curvature of the Earth and the stars in the blackness of space above they return to
Earth on a parasail flown by a former astronaut to an awaiting ship that will take
them back to shore.
Ballooning is truly international. Many countries have their own programs,
large and small. Countries involved in the space program also have scientific balloon programs. Just like the U.S., they have major science organizations that support the construction of satellites and use balloon programs to create technology
and instruments. For example the HAPS Alliance was established so that companies can collectively advocate for business development with the relevant authorities in various countries, build a cooperative HAPS ecosystem, introduce a
common set of product specifications, and promote the standardization of HAPS
network interoperability. This is a well-funded international cooperative advocacy
effort, but has yet to fulfill its objectives.
There are both U.S. and foreign companies that provide technology and expertise to support balloon efforts by other organizations. And there are companies
such as Raven Aerostar which can manufacture a complete balloon and payload as
well as assist the customer in launch and recovery operations. The commercial
world is definitely in the balloon business, and is already surpassing NASA in the
number of annual launches.
Rarely in the news, but not to be forgotten are the balloons used by the military.
The very first applications were military in the 1700’s and 1800’s, placing a pair
of eyeballs high enough to see what the enemy was doing over the horizon. Now
in the 21st century the applications may be more sophisticated but the traditional
roles of communications, surveillance, reconnaissance and intelligence remain in
play. Balloons are to this very day, in or near wherever U.S. forces are deployed.
Likewise when there is a need to observe a terrorist, an intruder, a drug smuggler or a human trafficker there will probably be a balloon, either aloft or at the
ready. While not stratospheric, they are just high enough to observe but be out of
254 Conclusions
Peru, Sri Lanka, Kenya, and others.
Likewise World View Enterprises was founded with the goal of increasing
access to, and the utilization of the stratosphere for scientific, commercial, and
economic purposes. The company has a full capability to manufacture balloons
and custom payloads as well as to launch them from their headquarters in Tucson,
AZ. Their business is broad, including science, government, industry, communications and the military.
There are several other commercial businesses, both in the U.S. and abroad that
utilize balloons. Some are in operation now and others are currently developing
their business capability. A good example is Space Perspective, a new company
devoted to floating paying customers to the edge of space. After marveling at the
curvature of the Earth and the stars in the blackness of space above they return to
Earth on a parasail flown by a former astronaut to an awaiting ship that will take
them back to shore.
Ballooning is truly international. Many countries have their own programs,
large and small. Countries involved in the space program also have scientific balloon programs. Just like the U.S., they have major science organizations that support the construction of satellites and use balloon programs to create technology
and instruments. For example the HAPS Alliance was established so that companies can collectively advocate for business development with the relevant authorities in various countries, build a cooperative HAPS ecosystem, introduce a
common set of product specifications, and promote the standardization of HAPS
network interoperability. This is a well-funded international cooperative advocacy
effort, but has yet to fulfill its objectives.
There are both U.S. and foreign companies that provide technology and expertise to support balloon efforts by other organizations. And there are companies
such as Raven Aerostar which can manufacture a complete balloon and payload as
well as assist the customer in launch and recovery operations. The commercial
world is definitely in the balloon business, and is already surpassing NASA in the
number of annual launches.
Rarely in the news, but not to be forgotten are the balloons used by the military.
The very first applications were military in the 1700’s and 1800’s, placing a pair
of eyeballs high enough to see what the enemy was doing over the horizon. Now
in the 21st century the applications may be more sophisticated but the traditional
roles of communications, surveillance, reconnaissance and intelligence remain in
play. Balloons are to this very day, in or near wherever U.S. forces are deployed.
Likewise when there is a need to observe a terrorist, an intruder, a drug smuggler or a human trafficker there will probably be a balloon, either aloft or at the
ready. While not stratospheric, they are just high enough to observe but be out of
254 Conclusions