Magnificent Failure by Craig Ryan

Author:Craig Ryan [Ryan, Craig]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-58834-450-2
Publisher: Smithsonian
Published: 2014-08-19T04:00:00+00:00

To THE TOP OF THE SKY

Late on the night of January 31 Dr. Frisby put a hold on the next morning’s launch due to forecasts of moderate ground winds. Everyone remained on standby. February 2 dawned cold: 13 below zero with a three-knot wind and heavy, swirling ground fog. But as the fog lifted and the wind settled, Frisby finally issued the clearance for launch.

Following a final equipment check that was witnessed by FAA officials, the Raven crew began rolling out the 324-foot balloon (lighter but a good deal larger than the Litton envelope) along a long canvas carpet that would protect it from the frozen runway at Joe Foss Field. Jacques Istel had convinced the U.S. Navy to donate the helium supply for the flight, and their helium trailers moved in now and inflation hoses were attached. Approximately 28,000 cubic feet of helium would be introduced into the balloon envelope, a volume that would expand to five million cubic feet at peak altitude. The Second Chance gondola was transported on the Raven launch vehicle from the National Guard hangar to the launch spot.

Nick and crew, meanwhile, had used the National Guard administration building to complete the carefully scripted ritual of suiting him up for the stratosphere: insulated underwear, cotton socks, electrically heated socks, boots with exposure covers, electrically heated gloves, pressure gloves, exposure mitts, pressure suit, coverall. A small tape recorder for capturing Nick’s free-fall monologue was secured to his right leg and a pack of cover letters was sealed in a pocket on his left leg. The suit also held batteries, a stopwatch, mirrors, cameras, and a barograph. Two small cylinders designated “walking-around bottles” supplied Nick with the 100 percent oxygen for prebreathing during and after the suit-up phase. The prebreathing oxygen was delivered through a facemask Marvin McCall had fashioned for Nick at Tyndall. And once the pressure suit was on, a portable ventilation system—supplied with liquid oxygen by the local National Guard—allowed Nick to avoid overheating as he moved around the dressing area.

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