It is a very ambitions plan to put a probe on the surface of the moon before the end of the year but is very possible. Our first step is to perfect a high altitude launch. We have fallen many times in designing a working high altitude balloon and while the idea has been around for many years we have modified it through trial and error. The advantages are endless when it comes to launching a conventional rocket at an altitude of aprox 30 miles.
First of all the balloon can not be the cheap weather balloons you see on ebay... they will pop at about 12,000 feet and have a payload capacity 3 oz and have an extremely low bursting diameter. We are using professional weather balloons that are designed for the thinner air and colder temperature. Typically these balloons are used individually having one balloon with a single payload but we will be attaching 8-10 balloons depending on the weight.
With the weight being distributed to multiple balloons the amount of helium or hydrogen can be decreased. By having 15% of the potential space used in the balloon we have that much more room for it to expand!
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