A primary test goal was the successful separation of a mock crew capsule from the abort system.

Then the crew capsules tore loose and went their separate ways, missing each other by hundreds of yards.

The first, on Jan. 12, 1997, was forced to land after only a few hours flight because of a kerosene leak in the crew capsule.

Likewise did the crew capsule on the back, a saddle of domed crystal.

The big crew capsule, built to accommodate three people, had not yet been attached to the lifting balloon.

Boeing is working on a crew capsule of its own, called the CST-100.

"I hope that in flight the two balloons won't be at war with each other, with the crew capsule caught in the middle."

They also envisioned an escape system that would lift the crew capsule out of harm's way if serious trouble arose.

The crown jewel of Sea Cliff is its crew capsule.

Eventually, in 1984, Sea Cliff dove much deeper, with its stronger crew capsule.