A method for oxygenating a fluid, the method including launching a sub-orbital lower-level apparatus to a predetermined altitude greater than 20,000 feet above sea level. The method also includes, at the predetermined altitude, actuating a fluid capture mechanism sealingly configured to collect and store an atmospheric fluid. In addition, returning the a sub-orbital lower-level apparatus to an altitude less than 20,000 feet, and introducing at least a portion of the atmospheric fluid to an oxygenation process to mix the captured atmospheric fluid with another fluid.