Explorer II (Balloon)
Biography
The Explorer II (Balloon) was launched on November 11, 1935, from Rapid City, South Dakota. It was the second balloon experiment attempted by Captain Albert Stevens with the goal of reaching a world record altitude. Carrying Captain Stevens, Captain Orvil Anderson, and instruments that collected scientific data, the Explorer II reached a world record altitude of 22,066 meters (72,395 feet). This record height allowed for aerial photography which captured the actual curvature of the earth.
Citation:
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, via WWW, November 12, 2020 (Explorer II (Balloon); launched on November 11, 1935, from Rapid City, South Dakota; second balloon experiment attempted by Captain Albert Stevens with the goal of reaching a world record altitude; carried Captain Stevens, Captain Orvil Anderson, and instruments that collected scientific data; reached a world record altitude of 22,066 meters (72,395 feet); record height allowed for aerial photography which captured the actual curvature of the earth)Found in 4 Collections and/or Records:
Ruth Stevens collection of postcards and photographs of the Explorer II and other balloons, 1935 November
Contains twenty photographs and postcards of the Explorer II balloon, launched in November 1935 and captained by Ruth Stevens husband, A. W. Stevens. Also contains four photographs of an unidentified balloon launch.
Ruth Stevens collection of postcards from Tatra Mountains, Poland, 1939 August
Contains seventy-six postcards collected by Ruth Stevens while she and her husband were visiting Poland in August, 1939. The postcards depict the Tatra Mountains, a number of famous landmarks in Krakow and Warsaw, and the artwork of polish painters, especially Zofia Stryjenska.
Ruth Stevens funeral program, obituary, and other materials, 1985 April 16, 1990 October
Contains a photocopy of a program for Ruth Stevens's funeral in October 1990 as well as photocopy of her obituary from the Daily Herald. Also includes a photocopy of a letter from Richard H. Cracroft to Ruth Stevens concerning a draft of her biography of A. W. Stevens, "My Husband, the Astronaut".
Ruth Stevens papers
Contains photographs of preparations for the Explorer II balloon flight in November 1935. This collection also includes photographs and postcards collected during the week that Ruth and Albert Stevens were in Poland in 1939. There is also a letter to Ruth Stevens from Richard H. Cracroft that he wrote after he read her manuscript for her husband's biography, and a copy of an obituary and funeral program for Ruth Stevens.
Additional filters:
- Type
- Archival Object 3
- Collection 1
- Subject
- Balloon ascensions 3
- Science 3
- Science, Technology, and Health 3
- Letters 2
- Obituaries 2