Proteusの60,000フィート達成
http://www.scaled.com/ にあるプレスリリースから。
On October 25 and 27, 2000, Scaled
Composites set three unofficial (pending ratification by NAA/FAI)
world altitude records with the Model 281 Proteus aircraft.
The three records were peak altitude (62,786 feet), sustained
altitude in horizontal flight (61,919 feet), and peak altitude (of
55,878 feet) with a 1000-kg payload. These altitudes
significantly exceeded the existing records in Class C-1.E, Group
III. Takeoff gross weights for the two flights were 8,962
lb. And 11,319 lb., respectively.
The Scaled crew of Mike Melvill and Bob Waldmiller were at the controls for these record-setting flights. Since the flights were considered envelope expansion, the crew wore full pressure suits, which were provided by NASA through the Dryden Flight Research Center under the Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology program.
このリリースにある全与圧服はNASA提供とあります。Johnson Space Center（ヒューストン）の（旧）低圧室の部屋の壁には'Project 500' （550だったかもしれない）という、グライダーの高度記録挑戦プログラム関係者が低圧チャンバー訓練を行ったポスターがありました。NASAが与圧服を提供したかどうかは不明ですが。
日本の熱気球乗りで埼玉県職員の神田さんが高度記録を作った際にも与圧服を使ったのですが、それは川崎重工業に手伝ってもらったそうです。
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