This balloon is attempting a record-breaking journey.
NASA has successfully launched a super pressure balloon in New Zealand
to orbit Earth for as long as possible targeting 100 days.
The current NASA record is 54 days.
The flight is testing new balloon technology
that enables long flights in the upper atmosphere.
These flights allow long observations on science phenomena.
At 110,000 feet the balloon's instruments will detect gamma rays
which are emitted from black holes and exploding stars.
It will also record newly discovered sounds in the atmosphere.
It's not your average balloon.
The weight of the balloon and payload is 10,241 lbs, which is roughly 10 grand pianos.
When fully inflated, the balloon can fit a football stadium inside.
This technology will allow low-cost and sustained access to the upper atmosphere
for future NASA missions that study Earth and space.