Call it serendipity, but I just noticed Slashdot posted a link to some zero-g water balloon popping. I swear those editors read my mind. Expect a howto soon on making a tinfoil hat.

Technically, this experiment took place on a DC-9, but since I was already busy writing about quirky space experiments, we'll just pretend it happened in orbit.

When you watch the videos, check out how well the water holds together when the balloons are popped. According to the article, a syringe needle is used, which causes a "slice-type" rupture that propagates along a more predictable path.

This would explain the huge hematoma that forms opposite your elbow when the doctor decides a bloodletting is in order.

Why pop balloons in a micro gravity environment?

The tests were conducted in part to develop the ability to rapidly deploy large liquid drops by rupturing an enclosing membrane.

Notice the "in part." The other part was, of course, to goof off in zero gravity! That said, I can't stop brainstorming about the possible uses for rapidly deploying a large liquid drop. I haven't come up with anything good yet, except that maybe it's cheaper to launch Tang in balloons instead of plastic sippy bottles.

Please leave a comment and clue me in. Also, 10 points to the first person to find the official Tang website. I can't believe they don't have one.

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