From: mp1walsh@adelphia.net   
      
   "richie086"  wrote in message   
   news:50gZc.10673$5w4.2149@fe22.usenetserver.com...   
   > Hey..  I have a question.   
   >   
   > would the use of balloons to lift some sort of delivery vehicle or   
   > rocket into the very upper atmosphere work?  has this ever been attempted?   
   >   
      
   Yes, for quite a few years in fits and starts.   
      
   I would assume you might find something with a search on "rockoon".   
      
   There were some recent attempts by a university, I believe in Alabama,   
   that were trying fly a hybrid rocket from a balloon.  I believe their record   
   was less than perfect.   
      
   One of the X-Prize contestant uses a launch from a recoverable   
   balloon.   
      
   Mike Walsh   
      
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