"Although the day started with difficulties, it ended with a successful 1000 foot space elevator test climb to a tethered 10-foot diameter balloon - LiftPort's first really significant climb. This was supposed to be a 1 mile climb test, but the FAA-required aviation orange paint - applied at 50...

This happens when you don't properly vent a sealed storage tank before emptying it. Hot gas/air in a sealed container and you let it cool. The air pressure difference inside is so great that the structure is compromised.