NASA Balloon Crashes on Launch

A large NASA research balloon carrying gamma-ray instruments has crashed during a launch attempt in Australia. Strong winds ripped the balloon from its moorings prior to launch and drifted into an onlooker's car. Initial reports suggest that the payload has been badly damaged.

This footage shows the payload breaking free from a crane and smashing into the vehicle as it gets dragged some metres across the ground at a reasonable speed.

The special research balloon was to reach an altitude of around of 40km - high enough above the atmosphere to enable gamma-ray observations.