The balloon rises up with hot air, the maximum height depends on two characteristics: lightness of construction and volume. Every 6–7 km, the density of the air displaced by the ball decreases by half, and its lifting force decreases.
First time
The shell of the world's first balloon, which was launched in 1783 by the inventors (the Montgolfier brothers) into the air, consisted of cotton, on top of which paper was glued. The scope of the sphere was 800 square meters, and the design itself weighed 225 kg.
The first balloon in human history took off relatively low - by 915 meters. But this attracted the attention of many scientists of that time. Dozens of engineers around the world sent letters to the inventors with their calculations and advice. As a result, after about six months, a new version was built with a shell volume of 1000 cubic meters. This time, as during the heyday of space exploration, the first passengers, just in case, made animals - a sheep, a rooster and a goose. All of them landed safe and sound.
Science does not stand still
Ballooning at that time was not widespread due to the inability to control the ball in a horizontal direction. However, the first aircraft, a shell with a basket, became a real treasury for scientists who were able to study various phenomena and air currents at previously unattainable heights.
Over time, spheres filled with hydrogen and helium appeared.It was estimated that every 6-7 km the air density drops by about half. This encouraged developers to make a lighter design, then, by the beginning of the 20th century, it became possible to supply pilots with an oxygen mask. This pushed humanity to yet another invention - a parachute. At that time, balloons began to rise to a height of 20-25 km.
Absolute records
Over the years, technology and materials have improved, allowing you to take on new heights. The most recent pilot to climb to a record high in a balloon in October 2014 was Alan Eustace, an employee of the American search corporation. He left the aircraft with a parachute at an altitude of 41.4 km.
The drone probe record belongs to the Japanese space agency JAXA. The balloon reached 53 km in 2002. It is worth noting that it already looked a little like the balloon that we usually see in the pictures. With a volume of 54x75 meters, it weighed only 40 kg, and the film thickness of the sphere was only 3.4 microns. The developers claim that the ceiling of this design: 60 km.
