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This balloon is attempting a record-breaking journey.

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NASA has successfully launched a super pressure balloon in New Zealand

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to orbit Earth for as long as possible targeting 100 days.

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The current NASA record is 54 days.

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The flight is testing new balloon technology

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that enables long flights in the upper atmosphere.

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These flights allow long observations on science phenomena.

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At 110,000 feet the balloon's instruments will detect gamma rays

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which are emitted from black holes and exploding stars.

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It will also record newly discovered sounds in the atmosphere.

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It's not your average balloon.

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The weight of the balloon and payload is 10,241 lbs, which is roughly 10 grand pianos.

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When fully inflated, the balloon can fit a football stadium inside.

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This technology will allow low-cost and sustained access to the upper atmosphere

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for future NASA missions that study Earth and space.

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