09/13/2002 10:30 am Resistance test!

In this morning's program, the 3 parachutes of the gondola have been submitted to a resistance test by a push of 4 and a half tons!
This push could seem oversize with regard to the weight of the gondola (600kg) and Michel (110 kg), but this test was essential considering the size of the balloon and the force of winds. Electric cables were put late in the afternoon on the suspentes of parachutes to run the cutting cables. Indeed these small explosive charges will allow the gondola to get loose from the balloon, in case of problem during the ascent or when Michel will have landed under parachute