The Tandem high altitude airship was launched from the Black Rock desert in Neveda on 22 October into the edge of space. The launch surpasses current world record for the highest altitude, with a launch altitude of 95,085 ft.
high altitude spaceship
During the launch, the airship experienced extreme turbulence between altitudes of 40,000 and 60,000 ft, but later stabilised itself. Tandem was able to reach a height of 95,085 ft, which was 4 mi. higher than previously covered altitudes. The pilot of the airship was located on the ground and remotely steered the airship by controlling the motors to tide over turbulence. Towards the end of the mission, one of the balloons burst, but by sending command for release of another balloon, the landing was smooth. The landing was taken care by a fleet of five parachutes. Tandem is an unmanned airship supported by two balloons which are separated by carbon fiber of 30 ft length. There are two electric motors which operate propellers of 6 ft in length. The propellers have been designed to operate in thin atmosphere up to 20 mi.
JP Aerospace is an independent space program that is run and flown by volunteers. Tandem is a general work vehicle, which will be used as a launch platform for small research rockets or as a mother ship for hypersonic test airships. It is also used as an all-round tool for the Airship Orbit program, this program involves building V-shaped airships that fly in space. Tandem can also serve as a construction vehicle in high altitude research stations in space.