Introduction to the Special Issue on Scientific BalloonCapabilities and Instrumentation

Journal of Astronomical Instrumentation

article

J. A. Gaskin¹  I. S. Smith²  W. V. Jones³ 

[1] X-Ray Astronomy Group, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center;Space Science and Engineering Division/15, Southwest Research Institute;Science Mission Directorate, Astrophysics Division DH000 NASA Headquarters

关键词: Balloon payloads;    scientific ballooning;    balloon flight operations;   

DOI  :  10.1142/S2251171714030019

学科分类：天文学(综合)

来源: World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd.

【 摘 要 】

In 1783, the Montgolfier brothers ushered in a new era of transportation and exploration when they used hot air to drive an un-tethered balloon to an altitude of ~2 km. Made of sackcloth and held together with cords, this balloon challenged the way we thought about human travel, and it has since evolved into a robust platform for performing novel science and testing new technologies. Today, high-altitude balloons regularly reach altitudes of 40 km, and they can support payloads that weigh more than 3000 kg. Long-duration balloons can currently support mission durations lasting ~55 days, and developing balloon technologies (i.e. Super-Pressure Balloons) are expected to extend that duration to 100 days or longer; competing with satellite payloads. This relatively inexpensive platform supports a broad range of science payloads, spanning multiple disciplines (astrophysics, heliophysics, planetary and earth science). Applications extending beyond traditional science include testing new technologies for eventual space-based application and stratospheric airships for planetary applications.

【 授权许可】

Unknown