Details of the balloon and launch operations

Launch site: Scientific Flight Balloon Facility, New Mexico, US
Launch team: Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility (CSBF)
Balloon: Open balloon (zero pressure) Raven - 37.000.000 cu ft
Serial number: -
Flight identification number: 572NT
Campaign: No Data
Payload weight: 6000 lbs
Gondola weight: -
Overall weight: -

The balloon was launched by dynamic method assisted by launch vehicle on August 30 at 15:10 UTC. After a nominal ascent phase the balloon started to flight due west as can be seen in the map at right (click to enlarge). After a total flight time of 5 hours, 50 minutes, the balloon was terminated approximately 80 miles SW of the launch base. Recovery of the payload and balloon was completed on August 31.

Description of the payload or experiment

37H (Technological Flight)

Responsable institution: Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility (CSBF)
Principal Investigator: Debora Ann Fairbrother

Flight qualification mission for the Stratofilm SF-450 / 37 "Heavy" balloon.

Performance in flight and data obtained

According to the post flight report of the agency, the mission was an operations and science success, exceeding all preflight minimum requirements for the balloon and all test articles. The balloon performance was within specifications for inflation, launch, ascent, entry into float, and in float stability.

The termination used normal termination procedures, with the test ripstitch system operating in-line. The on-board video showed that the ripstitch system significantly reduced the parachute opening shock. The parachute was successfully separated by the SAPR (semi-automatic parachute release) system operating in the on-line mode, with the GAPR system also operating successfully in an off-line mode in parallel with the SAPR.