The Dorothy Project Sent a Ghostly Silk Draped Figure Into the Stratosphere and the Footage Will Stop You in Your Tracks

A deep blue silk figure just hangs there in the air, as if its entire figure is staring back at the light, definitely human, with clouds and ocean extending out below and darkness creeping in from above. Nearby cameras are softly turning, capturing every small change in the fabric as it moves. It’s from The Dorothy Project, a curious group of scientists and artists that collaborated to transport high-end gear to the edge of space by high-altitude balloon. Where the line between creativity and technical know-how becomes blurred.

This time, they collaborated with Taroni, an Italian silk supplier who prides itself on using only natural materials with no harsh chemicals. The sculpture begins as a full-sized human form, and then layers of fine silk are wrapped around it. From chin to toes. The end product is similar to a cloak, with tiny small arms that appear to be wrapped up tightly. Down on the ground, it appears to be a solid item, nearly commonplace. However, as it passes through the atmosphere, the silk begins to flow in ways that no one on Earth can control.

They have a history of building rigs that can withstand extreme forces, up to seven times normal gravity, and temperatures that range from hot to boiling. So this thing remains stable regardless of what is thrown at it. They employ hydrogen to provide lift, keeping things small and clean, and the latex balloon simply returns to ground after its voyage. Tracking signals direct recovery workers to the exact location where it landed, ensuring that nothing goes missing.

The footage they obtained from the most recent flight is quite stunning. The silk figure simply twirls about as the balloon drifts, and if you look at one frame from below, you can see the small blue shape against the curve of the planet. Another image shows the clouds churning beneath, as the figure leans in slightly to one side. The entire sequence lasts long enough to see the light shift from full daylight to the darkness of space.
[Source]