NIGHT CREW LABS
March 2020 – Discovery Channel and the show Expedition Unknown reached out to NCL to collaborate on an episode about the Bermuda Triangle. We were interested in the proposal to design an experiment to debunk fantastical theories about the Triangle and its effect on well-known shipwrecks and airplane disappearances. In August 2019, design work for the project started. We knew our payload had to be watertight as we would be launching and recovery our high-altitude balloon from the water. Next, there was interest in measuring radiation and electromagnetic field through the air column, and comparing that to standard models. We found sensors that could detect these parameters and log them in flight.
In September, we flew down to Miami and drove about an hour to the Florida Keys were we set up shop. Our team made some last minute adjustments the night before, and the next day we set sail on the Atlantic Ocean with Josh Gates, the show host. Once on the ocean, we had limited time to fill up our balloon with helium and get everything ready. A storm was coming in and the wind was blowing everywhere. After a hasty launch, we tracked our payload in realtime above as our boat captain navigated us to the predicted landing site. As the balloon burst and made its descent, we were close on its tail. We finally got a visual on the parachute, at an altitude of about 10,000 feet. The boat captain put the pedal to the metal and let the V8 engines rip, making a beeline to the descending payload. It hit the water not 20 yards away from us. So close! Luckily for us, Josh Gates leapt in the water and recovered the payload in dramatic fashion. We returned to a dock with a hero’s welcome. And by that I mean we ate breaded shrimp and drank some Coronas.
Some of the photos in the gallery show the Florida Keys from the edge of space. The balloon track map is also displayed – our boat tracker was turned on mid-mission which it seems like we come from nowhere (or is it the power of the Triangle?). I guess you’ll just have to watch the episode and make your own conclusions…