Purpose of the flight and payload description
SCRIBE is a balloon-borne, high resolution Fourier transform spectrometer designed to measure atmospheric emission at stratospheric altitudes with high resolution (0.06 cm) and high sensitivity.
Just after release, the payload struck the ground damaging the package and causing a loss of commnand and balloon control links. Although the interferometer telemetry link instrument still functioned, the elevation angle and detector bias could not be changed. With the instrument locked in an upward viewing geometry and the bias at the low setting, very little useful data were obtained.
Details of the balloon flight
Balloon launched on: 6/21/1985 at 1:55 mdt
Launch site: Roswell Industrial Air Center, New Mexico, US
Balloon launched by: Air Force Geophysics Laboratory (AFGL)
Balloon manufacturer/size/composition: Zero Pressure Balloon Winzen - 5.142.000 cuft (Stratofilm 1.0 mil.)
Balloon serial number: SF234.29-100 NSC
Flight identification number: H85-09
End of flight (L for landing time, W for last contact, otherwise termination time): 6/21/1985
Balloon flight duration (F: time at float only, otherwise total flight time in d:days / h:hours or m:minutes - ): 1 h
Landing site: Balloon damaged at launch
Payload weight: 2927 lbs
External references
- AFGL Balloon History since 7/7/1982 in Operational climatology for research ballooning in south central New Mexico (1988)
- Measurement of Atmospheric Emission Spectra at High Altitudes Final rept. 8 Nov 82-8 Nov 85
- SCRIBE (Stratospheric Cryogenic Interferometer Baloon Experiment) Data Survey and Validation Final rept. Jul 86-Jan 87 - OPTIMETRICS INC BURLINGTON MA
StratoCat is an independent, non-commercial project maintained to preserve and share the history of scientific and stratospheric ballooning. If you find the site useful, you can help keep it running with a small donation toward its operating costs. Every contribution, even the equivalent of a cup of coffee, is greatly appreciated.
