Grosse Pointe Academy Tetroon Launch 28 January 2015

[@modernwarfare26233]

Awesome!!!

[@CombraStudios]

I love balloons!

[@mojaverockets]

Since you didn't have any method to cut it down before sunset, was it equipped with flashing strobes per FAA ?

[@rochte]

All of our flights were FAR 101 exempt, but several did carry strobes anyway (primarily to aid recovery).

[@amanbagrecha]

Will it come down ?

[@rochte]

Yes, it came down later that same night. Although the balloon was initially launched with helium, the gas quickly diffused through the plastic film and the balloon filled with air through the open mouth at the bottom. This air was then heated by the sun, and lift for most of the flight was generated by this solar-heated hot air. The balloon began to descend around local sundown, and it took approximately three hours for the balloon to return to the ground.