Kamchatka, Russian Federation
In 1995 by a cooperative initiative of Japanese and Russian scientists created the RUNJOB project (RUssia-Nippon JOint Balloon program) that had by main objective the observation of the cosmic rays using emulsion chambers onboard stratospheric balloons.
Taking account that the flights would be developed trought the entire Russian territory on summer when the winds blow from the east, the scientists looked for an oriental launch place. The chosen place was the city of Kamchatka, in the same name peninsula, but we lack of details on the exact nature of the launch base.
The balloons followed a flight path towards the west in a more or less parabolic line, crossing the central part of the Russian Federation in a lapse of 6 to 7 days. After that time, when the aerostats reached the neighborhoods of the Volga river, the payload would be separated from the balloon and recovered for their later analysis in Japanese laboratories.
A total of four RUNJOB campaigns were performed in 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1999. Actually we don't know if there are plans to repeat this experiences in the near future.
