I was flipping through the Edmund Scientific Catalog recently when I saw this ( Read more... )

http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Lighter_than_air/Science_Missions-20th-Part_II/LTA15.htm

Ok, so a really big balloon (or a hypothetical electrically-heated flying radiometer sail) can hover at 30 km and carry a megawatt motor plus a long extension cord, and provide enough energy to spin a wheel to accelerate a 10 kg payload to low earth orbital velocity (10 km/sec)

But there are other problems to solve:

The rotating wheel that holds ( Read more... )

Maybe a high altitude balloon the size of the Hindenburg is a bit excessive to launch a few measly 10kg payloads to orbit.

It might not be required. Lemme nail down the math a little better.

( lots of calculations )