Giant NASA Balloon Crashes in Australia

Is this the first time this has ever happened with a balloon? (That's a rhetorical question, I mean really!) Wouldn't it be a good idea to have an emergency release to save the payload in the event of a runaway balloon?

We saw the footage on all the channels here Downunder. They are trying to measure things way up there and can't even predict a strong wind at arms length. I mean that can happen but not preparing for such an event is just incredible. Like crapper suggested an emergency release thingo would have come in real handy.

You see, that is what happens when staff is cut and the only guy on the team that had a hands on attitude was sent home, too early. He is possibly sailing his yacht around Australia at the moment and knows his knots. Well, he needs to know, other wise his $120.0000 rope machine will do what it wants. If I can believe what they said it cost it would ad up to 1000 yachts and not a protection against this in sight.

To not secure a payload like this adequately, is completely mad. Gosh would I love to hear the blame game. Gosh would I love to sack the whole bunch of them.

I am not sure if this is on you tube somewhere but it is worth while a look or two.

What a party, Ky.

Video here (sorry to those who can't access BBC News website for copyright reasons): http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8650707.stm

It is claimed that the payload survived.

If by survived they mean that it was all there but it pretty much looked like it got shredded to me. In the video I watched someone said they didn't think any of it was recoverable and I assume by recoverable they meant of any use in the manner in which it had been originally intended.

Thanks.