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free balloon

American  

noun

  1. a balloon, often equipped to carry passengers, that drifts with air currents and whose ascent and descent are controlled by the release of ballast and buoyant gas.


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Contacted by Scientific American, the Federal Aviation Administration said that the agency has comprehensive regulations for U.S. operators to safely carry out unpiloted free balloon flights.

From Scientific American Feb. 23, 2023

Hardin, Mont. Altitude Sirs: Kindly inform me as to the maximum altitude obtained by any aviator whether in airplane or free balloon.

From Time Magazine Archive

Reason: the density of the atmosphere decreases so rapidly that at eight miles it will barely support an airplane, at 23 miles a small free balloon has reached its roof.

From Time Magazine Archive

Dr. Auguste Piccard, professor of physics in Brussels University, last week ordered a 2,000-volt dry battery as equipment for a specially constructed free balloon with an airtight cabin.

From Time Magazine Archive

For an hour or two people were surprised at seeing a free balloon sailing away towards Bulwan.

From Ladysmith The Diary of a Siege by Nevinson, Henry W.

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