Why do weather balloons burst when they reach high altitudes?

This is obvious since if we pop the balloon it goes pop... and a pressure wave is sent out POP!!) ... So I think the balloon will expand... read more

If the balloon were strong enough to keep from bursting the balloon would rise to it’s pressure height and continue to float at that altitude until atmospheric or lifting gas conditions changed (temperature, humidity etc.) or until some or all of the lifting gas leaked out of the balloon. read more

Intro to Weather Balloons. Weather balloons are a type of high altitude balloon specifically used for transporting scientific payloads into our upper atmosphere. They can carry their payloads as high as 40,000 m ~ 130,000 ft. Every day approximately 800 meteorological weather balloons are released at 00:00 and again at 12:00 GMT at locations around the world. read more

Also balloons must comply with the air traffic control regulations which limit where and how high balloons may fly unless they carry special navigation and communication equipment. On November 26, 2005, Vijaypat Singhania set the world altitude record for highest hot air balloon flight, reaching 21,027 meters (68,986 feet) above sea level. read more