First pastry hovering over the edge of space courtesy of Stratolys. (Photo : Stratolys/Youtube)
A unique space mission involving a group of amateur space enthusiasts called Stratolys, successfully launched the first doughnut into space.
The pastry with pink icing and sprinkles on top made it to the edge of space on April 8 as it was lifted off via a high altitude weather balloon.The entire duration of the flight lasted 84 minutes beginning from liftoff to splashdown.
When the balloon was released into the atmosphere, it followed a cruising altitude until the gas that was propelling the vehicle was released when the balloon exploded, sending the doughnut craft into its final watery crash landing.
The dainty dessert was discovered after the splashdown, when it was broken down into watery pieces as it was recovered by a search and rescue team from the Swedish Sea Rescue Society.
The Swedish company Stratolys announced that on April 9, 2015, they have sent a doughnut some 32 kilometers up on the edge of space using a weather balloon from Askim, Norway. They also claimed that they have obtained official permission to conduct this experiment, warning the public not to attempt this without a permit.
Technically, this 20 mile altitude did not qualify this space doughnut venturing into a trip to the "edge of space" but video footage did reveal a stunning view from a height where Earth and space did meet.
This doughnut mission costs US $1,100 that included helium, the camera and the calorie-laden payload where the camera was mounted in a styrofoam box that is attached to the weather balloon.
Alexander Jönsson, along with brother Benjamin Jönsson, are now in possession of the space doughnut fragments who are also members of the group that launched the pastry into space. Neither of the two had prior experience involving any space program.
Watch the video of the entire doughnut space mission here.
