The Earth ’ s atmosphere consists of five layers : the troposphere ( the level at which aircraft fly ), the stratosphere ( the level at which balloons fly ), the mesosphere , the thermosphere ( satellites ), and the exosphere ( rockets ). The recent merger of Aerostar and Near Space Corporation launches new explorations into the world of high-atmosphere balloon technology , with its location at the Port of Tillamook Bay , Oregon .
Russ Van Der Werff is vice president of Stratospheric Solutions for Aerostar in Sioux Falls , South Dakota , and has been with the company for seven years . Tim Lachenmeier founded Near Space Corporation ( NSC ) in Tillamook , Oregon , and has owned and operated the company for 30 years . Michele Bradley , general manager of Port of Tillamook Bay , has been at the forefront of helping NSC and similar companies to expand in Tillamook and the surrounding area .
This story is about the merging of long-term partner companies with innovative and interesting stratospheric balloon technology in the Northwest that is “ daring mighty things ” worldwide .
Launching balloons into the stratosphere , a tradition that dates back more than 75 years , has revolutionized various fields and left an indelible mark . The impact of this technology is far-reaching — spanning intelligence , surveillance , reconnaissance ( ISR ), communications , defense , security , and more .
Aerostar , initially Raven Industries , was founded by four General Mills Applied Sciences Division employees who shared a passion for balloons . Their primary purpose was the manufacture of high-altitude research balloons for the U . S . Navy . Raven , based in Sioux Falls , South Dakota , produced a line of polyethylene high altitude balloons used for research in the near space environment of 100,000 to
10 NORTHWEST AEROSPACE NEWS