Ripcord’s list of Crosby balloon flights

Local history buffs with an interest in space exploration may be surprised to learn just how many balloon flights took off from Crosby in the late 1950s. It’s true that most were test flights and unmanned. It’s also true that a few popped, expensive plastic over the landscape. But the sheer numbers were enough to inspire one Man High expert to come up with a complete list.

Greg Kennedy, who will be in Cuyuna Country for the August 17—18 Man High Celebration in August, sent along a list of 22—actually 26 counting a June 21 series of four unmanned flights. Kennedy, of Philadelphia, answers to the name of ripcord on the Internet and has a long history of interest in skydiving along with other high-in-the-sky endeavors over the years.

He reports there is a good chance his new book on the Man High Project, Touching Space: The Story of Project Manhigh, will be published in time for the Man High Celebration..

Here’s Greg’s list.

List compiled by ripcord (Greg Kennedy)

Balloon Launches from Crosby

July 7, 1956 – Unmanned Stratolab flight test; 173-foot diameter balloon

July 23, 1956 – Unmanned Stratolab flight test; balloon reached 85,000 feet.

August 6, 1956 – Unmanned Stratolab flight test; balloon reached 60,500 feet.

August 20, 1956 – Unmanned Stratolab flight test; balloon reached 92,000 feet.

September 18, 1956 – Unmanned flight for the ONR; 172.6-foot diameter balloon.

November 13, 1956 – Unmanned test for Man High

November 17, 1956 – Unmanned test for Man High (balloon broke)

December 2, 1956 – Unmanned test for Man High (balloon broke)

December 17, 1956 – Unmanned test flight of Man High capsule; reached 97,000 feet before balloon broke.

August 19 - 20, 1957 -- Major David G. Simons set official altitude record of 101,516 feet (AGL) aboard Man High II balloon flight; 102,400 feet above sea level.

October 18, 1957 -- Lt. Comdrs. Malcolm D. Ross and M. Lee Lewis reached 85,700 feet in Strato Lab High II balloon flight.

May 15, 1958 – Unmanned flight for AMFL

June 21, 1958 – Series of four unmanned flights for AFCRC w/128TT balloon

July 26 - 27, 1958 -- Strato Lab High III balloon reached 82,000 feet with crew of Lt. Comdrs. Malcolm D. Ross and M. Lee Lewis.

July 30, 1958 – Unmanned flight for AMFL w/235.56’ diameter balloon

August 7, 1958 – Unmanned flight for AMFL w/235.56’ diameter balloon

February 19, 1959 – Unmanned flight for Goodyear w/172.6’ diameter balloon.

May 8, 1959 – Unmanned test for Stratolab w/172.6-foot diameter balloon.

June 2, 1959 – Unmanned test for Stratolab w/172.6-foot diameter balloon.

June 20, 1959 – Unmanned test for Stratolab w/172.6-foot diameter balloon.

September 17, 1959 – Unmanned flight for ONR w/200.2-foot diameter balloon.

September 17 – 18, 1959 – Unmanned flight test for Navy w/290-foot diameter balloon.