Purpose of the flight and payload description

This flight was part of the developmental work of the Stratoscope II project. The Stratoscope II system was one of the most sophisticated systems, electronically and mechanically, ever to be carried by a balloon. The project was under the direction of Martin Schwarzschild, astronomer at Princeton University. The instrument was a 36-inch telescope, designed to permit greatly improved nocturnal observation of planetary and stellar objects with a resolution of 0.1 second of arc.

The instrument performed eight scientific flights between March 1963 and September 1971.

Details of the balloon flight

Balloon launched on: 2/26/1970
Launch site: Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility, Palestine, Texas, US  
Balloon launched by: National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)
Balloon manufacturer/size/composition: Zero Pressure Balloon Schjeldhal - 25.300 cuft (GT12 - Mylar laminated to dacron scrim)
Flight identification number: 532P
End of flight (L for landing time, W for last contact, otherwise termination time): 2/26/1970
Landing site: Balloon not to be released

External references

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