[ELI5] how do hot air balloons even work? How do they know where they’re going without steering?

Question

[ELI5] how do hot air balloons even work? How do they know where they’re going without steering?

In: 846

Answer 1

As others have pointed out already, it’s all about navigating the air currents above the ground.

But your question is indeed timely, as yesterday (October 22) was the 63rd anniversary of the first free flight of a modern hot air balloon with an onboard heater. Ed Yost first flew his prototype balloon (fueled by kerosene) on October 22, 1960, and ushered in the modern sport balloon.