Episode 80: The history of Balua
In 2009, a group of Técnico students was inspired by a challenge set by the ESA – European Space Station to build a high-altitude balloon. The name “Balua” suggested “the balloon that goes to the moon”. It didn’t reach the Moon, or even Space, but it flew over the stratosphere at 35 kilometres above Earth’s surface. The project involved Técnico students and researchers: this idea gave rise to knowledge with potential impact in areas such as fire detection and prevention, surveillance of the maritime coast, environmental studies or professional aerial photography, which are still explored today by research projects carried out at Técnico.
- Acknowledgements:
Alexandra Moutinho
Diogo Henriques
Episode only available in Portuguese in: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Anchor.fm
Further reading and additional audio in the Portuguese version of this webpage.