Explorer II

Explorer II was a crewed U.S. high-altitude balloon that was launched on November 11, 1935, and reached a record altitude of 22,066 m (72,395 ft). Launched at 8:00 am from the Stratobowl in South Dakota, the helium balloon carried a two-man crew consisting of U. S. Army Air Corps Captains Albert W. Stevens and Orvil A. Anderson inside a sealed, spherical cabin. The crew landed safely near White Lake, South Dakota, at 4:13 pm and both were acclaimed as national heroes. Scientific instruments carried on the gondola returned useful information about the stratosphere. The mission was funded by the membership of the National Geographic Society.

This article is about the high-altitude balloon mission. For other uses, see Explorer Two (disambiguation). Not to be confused with Explorer 11.
Explorer II
Explorer II gondola on display at the National Air and Space Museum
National originUnited States
Mass6,800 kg (15,000 lb)
Balloon volume100,000 m3 (3,700,000 cu ft)
Crew2
PurposeStratospheric flight
OperatorNational Geographic Society
U. S. Army Air Corps
First flightJuly 10, 1935
Maximum altitude22,066 m (72,395 ft)
StatusRetired
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