For ARCADE (Absolute Radiometer for Cosmology, Astrophysics, and Diffuse Emission)

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Launch site:National Scientific Balloon Facility, Palestine, Texas, US  
Launch team: National Scientific Balloon Facility (NSBF)
Balloon: Open balloon (zero pressure)
Volume: W 29.47 (0.8 mil)
Serial number: W 29.47-2X-58
Flight identification number: 1591P
Campaign: - 
Payload weight: 5066 lbs
Gondola weight: -
Overall weight: 6000 lbs

The launch was acomplished by dynamic method using launch vehicle (Tiny Tim) on July 28th (utc) after a long wait by right meteorological conditions and one aborted flight.

After a nominal ascent phase the balloon reached the float altitude of 120.800 ft and started a drift to the west of the state (click the map on left to see the path of the balloon).

After 9 hours of flight at 10:12 utc on July 29th the separation command was sent. The gondola impacted ground 51 miles East Northeast of Fort Stockton, Texas (31-06.5 N / 101-54.8 W) at 10:53 utc.

That was a night termination using the SAPR system for parachute separation. Telemetry indicated a normal SAPR functioning.  

ARCADE (Absolute Radiometer for Cosmology, Astrophysics, and Diffuse Emission)

Responsable institution:  NASA - Goddard Space Flight Center
Principal Investigator:  Dr. Alan Kogut

A high altitude balloon payload designed to study the early universe and composed by two radiometers at 10 and 30 ghz mounted in a liquid helium dewar.

It measures the frequency spectrum of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB), to search for signals from the first stars to form after the Big Bang. The instrument compares the measured CMB frequency spectrum of CMB radiation at centimeter wavelengths by comparing the heat from deep space to an on-board blackbody calibrator.

To reduce the signal from the instrument itself, the entire instrument is maintained near absolute zero in an open bucket dewar, which is the largest open-aperture cryogenic payload ever to fly on a balloon.

This was the third flight of the instrument and the second one devoted to make scientific observations.

This flight also included as a piggyback additional scientific payload, an experimental camera called "COSMOCAM" mounted on a side of the gondola and transmitting live from the stratosphere via internet. If you want more information on this "little wonder" click here