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The British Antarctic Survey is currently testing a curious blend of a kite
and a helium balloon that stays airborne whatever the weather. The
hybrid—called a helikite—is being used to carry temperature and wind
speed gauges at the BAS’s Halley base in Antarctica. Standard kites drop if wind
conditions change, while helium-filled balloons can get knocked down by strong
gusts. Previous attempts to combine the two involved a kite-shaped balloon, but
sudden cold gusts caused the balloon to shrink and fall. Developed by Sandy
Allsopp, of Fordingbridge, Hampshire, the helikite overcomes this by attaching a
light polyethylene kite…