(ORDO NEWS) — A Japanese startup launched, as an experiment, into the stratosphere a capsule 50 by 60 centimeters with a hamster inside.
Inside the probe, ordinary earth conditions were recreated with comfortable air pressure and temperature. It looks like the experiment was a success, because the hamster slept through almost the entire flight.
Why did the hamster fly into the stratosphere
It is worth noting that the startup Iwatani Giken is engaged in the collection of meteorological data and space photography.
The company aims to make manned ascents into the stratosphere one of the popular entertainment and travel options for people.
The hamster experiment was supposed to convince potential clients and investors of the success of the project. In the near future, the company plans to increase the flight altitude to 25 kilometers, from where the distortion of the Earth is visible.
How was the flight
The capsule balloon was launched from the city of Miyakojima in Okinawa Prefecture. At the start, the structure gained altitude at a speed of 6.3 meters per second.
The peak height to which the rodent climbed inside the ball was 23 kilometers . After that, the probe began to smoothly lower into the sea near the island of Miyako.
The hamster did not experience any inconvenience during the flight – the footage from the “cockpit” shows how he sleeps peacefully on a hay platform.
The cabin was taken out of the water – it was in good condition. Most importantly, the hamster was alive and completely unharmed.
The experiment can be considered successful. Moreover, he pushed the company to the next step – an experimental flight with a person on board, which the startup plans to implement this year.
Other interesting space news
News about space flights or exploration is always interesting and exciting. Indeed, something unusual is constantly happening, such as updating the firmware of a spacecraft whose tools run under the old and almost forgotten Windows 98.
As a result, the European Space Agency received an almost new tool , because the firmware update significantly expanded the capabilities of the launched to Mars 19 years ago apparatus. Now he will continue to explore the Red Planet with renewed vigor.
Meanwhile, NASA has begun successively disabling the instruments of the most distant man-made objects in space: Voyager 1 and Voyager 2.
Unfortunately, both devices will soon face a serious problem – lack of energy. NASA must turn off some of the equipment to extend the service life a little more.
However, this will not be for a long time: subsequently, the Voyagers will continue their journey in complete silence and loneliness.
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