Sent Into Space is an English aerospace company that launches experimental payloads into the upper atmosphere using weather balloons for research, aerospace testing, marketing or publicity purposes. Sent Into Space has launched more than 1,000 flights into the upper stratosphere since its formation in 2011.[2]
History
The company was founded in 2011 in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, by Chris Rose and Alex Baker.[3] The two met at the University of Sheffield, where they were pursuing doctorates in mechanical engineering. They were having a conversation at a pub when they thought it would be interesting to attach a camera to a weather balloon that was launched up to the upper atmosphere. After six months of experimenting, they launched the balloon on 17 December 2010 from Rose's backyard.[4] They uploaded a video of their process and photos the camera took to YouTube, which went viral.[5] As a result they started a company offering balloon launches as a professional service.[6]
Services
The company uses balloons made from biodegradable, undyed latex. They also use hydrogen as a lifting gas instead of helium as it is a renewable resource. The balloons reach 38km (24mi) on average, taking a few hours to reach that height. The reduction in air pressure as it climbs causes the balloon to keep expanding, reaching 10m (33ft) from an original 2m (6.6ft) until it bursts. Then, a parachute is deployed and the craft takes about an hour to reach the ground. Sent Into Space has software that predicts where it will land.[7]
Scattering of cremated remains
Aura Flights, formerly Ascension Flights, is an offshoot of the company exclusively for scattering ashes in the atmosphere.[8] It was launched in 2017 after the technology was first developed in 2015. It appeared on the television programme Dragons' Den, but rejected an offer from Deborah Meaden.[9][10]
List of objects sent into the upper atmosphere
This is a select list of the 1,000+ objects the company has sent into the upper atmosphere.[6]
To complete a challenge of Taskmaster: Champion of Champions II where Gamble must do something that "makes everyone go 'wow, that really is the greatest thing'"
