In the table below you will find the records of stratospheric balloons launched from different countries and places during 1952, which are currently available in StratoCat's database. Each row shows basic data about the launch base from which departed, date and time of the launch, and if available the duration of the mission and the site of termination or landing place of the payload.


Regarding the kind of payload or experiment transported in each balloon mission, if you click the experiment name a text will be displayed showing the name of the scientific institutions involved in that mission, a brief resume of the purpose of the experiment carried onboard as well the scientific results obtained, and other information of relevance from that particular mission. Finaly at the bottom of the window there are links to external references. In some cases, these references are available throught scientific websites or journals for free. In other cases however, the information was published on journals only accesible throught direct suscription or using the access provided by Universities or research centers.

Launch baseDateFlight DurationExperimentPayload landing place or cause of the failure
Holloman AFB (NM)1/234 hPROJECT GOPHER GEAR--- No Data ---
Holloman AFB (NM)1/2944 hMOBY DICK (MODEL # 3 TEST)In coordinates 28.1° N 74.4° W
Holloman AFB (NM)2/236 hMOBY DICK (MODEL # 3 TEST)In coordinates 34.4° N 73.5° W
Holloman AFB (NM)2/69 h 30 mMOBY DICK (MODEL # 3 TEST)--- No Data ---
Holloman AFB (NM)2/947 h 25 mMOBY DICK (MODEL # 3 TEST)In coordinates 28.2° N 73.4° W
Holloman AFB (NM)2/1492 hMOBY DICK (MODEL # 3 TEST)NE of Montreal, Canada
Holloman AFB (NM)2/1948 hMOBY DICK (MODEL # 3 TEST)Hope, kansas, US
Holloman AFB (NM)2/2043 hANIMAL CAPSULE (UM)Aguilar, Colorado, US
Milan-Linate2/212 hNUCLEAR EMULSIONS--- No Data ---
Holloman AFB (NM)2/2240 hMOBY DICK (MODEL # 3 TEST)Gulf of California, US
Holloman AFB (NM)2/2762 hMOBY DICK (MODEL # 3 TEST)13 Miles N od Stark, Louisiana, US
Holloman AFB (NM)2/271 h 30 mANIMAL CAPSULE (UM)Hope, New Mexico, US
Holloman AFB (NM)3/31 hMOBY DICK (MODEL # 3 TEST)Hope, New Mexico, US
Holloman AFB (NM)3/1810 hCOSMIC RAY PLATES6 Miles NE of Dora, New Mexico, US
Holloman AFB (NM)4/84 hCOSMIC RAY PLATES15 Miles SE of Caprock, New Mexico, US
New Brighton (MN)4/14---PROJECT GOPHER - K17 CAMERAGondola damaged at launch. No data obtained
Holloman AFB (NM)4/1511 hCOSMIC RAY PLATES + FRUIT FLIES15 Miles SW of Salinas Peak, New Mexico, US
Holloman AFB (NM)4/2428 hANIMAL CAPSULE (UM)3 miles W of Arrey, New Mexico, US
New Brighton (MN)4/30---PROJECT GOPHER - K17 CAMERACamera failure. No data obtained
Holloman AFB (NM)5/15 h 10 mSAMPLER + SOLAR RADIATION GEAR20 miles SW of Salt Flats, New Mexico, US
Holloman AFB (NM)5/1523 h 30 mMOBY DICK DUMMY LOAD + FRUIT FLIES38 miles NE of Carrizozo, New Mexico, US
New Brighton (MN)5/21---J250 CODE SONDE TELEMETRY BEACONTelemetry failure after launch. Not recovered
Capodichino5/26~ 3 hTEST FLIGHTImpact site located at sea. Not recovered
Capodichino5/27---TEST FLIGHTIn Lagonegro, Italy
Holloman AFB (NM)5/283 h 30 mSPECTROGRAPH5 miles NE of Pinon, New Mexico, US
Elmas5/31+ 25 hEMULSION PLATES--- No Data ---
Elmas6/3---EMULSION PLATESSenerbi, Sardignia, Italy
New Brighton (MN)6/45 hPROJECT GOPHER - K17 CAMERA--- No Data ---
Elmas6/5---EMULSION PLATESMediterranean Sea
Holloman AFB (NM)6/51 hDUMMY LOAD - MOBY DICK PROJECT15 miles SW of Pinon, New Mexico, US
Holloman AFB (NM)6/104 hDUMMY LOAD - BARRELElephant Butte Dam, New Mexico, US
Elmas6/11---EMULSION PLATESSardignia, Italy
New Brighton (MN)6/12---PROJECT GOPHER - K17 CAMERA--- No Data ---
Elmas6/16---EMULSION PLATESIn Uri, Sardignia, Italy
Elmas6/23---EMULSION PLATESMediterranean Sea
New Brighton (MN)6/252 h 17 mTECHNOLOGICAL FLIGHTBalloon broke on jet Stream at 47.6 kft. Payload recovered badly 3 miles E of Cumberland, Winsconsin, US
Elmas6/263 hTEST FLIGHTMediterranean Sea
Elmas6/28---EMULSION PLATESSouth of Menorca, Mediterranean Sea. Never recovered
New Brighton (MN)6/3010 minTECHNOLOGICAL FLIGHTBalloon leaker. Descended 2 km N of the Airport, New Brighton, Minnesota, US
New Brighton (MN)7/3---TECHNOLOGICAL FLIGHTBalloon destroyed by surface wind. Not launched
Elmas7/330 mEMULSION PLATESFew miles from Elmas airport, Sardignia, Italy
Elmas7/52 hEMULSION PLATESMediterranean Sea
New Brighton (MN)7/821 h 30 mTECHNOLOGICAL FLIGHTKennebec, South Dakota, US
New Brighton (MN)7/104 dPROJECT GOPHER - K17 CAMERALost in the Atlantic Ocean. Balloon found by a tanker ship
Holloman AFB (NM)7/1010 h 30 mCOSMIC RAY PLATESGila Bend, Arizona, US
Holloman AFB (NM)7/1115 hDUMMY LOAD - MOBY DICK PROJECT28 miles SW of Corona, New Mexico, US
Elmas7/12---EMULSION PLATESFree fall over the Mediterranean Sea
New Brighton (MN)7/15---PROJECT GOPHER - K17 CAMERA--- No Data ---
New Brighton (MN)7/15---TECHNOLOGICAL FLIGHT2 miles E of Hugo, Minnesota, US
Holloman AFB (NM)7/15---ANIMAL CAPSULE (NYU) + DOSIMETERNo flight - Insuficient free lift
Holloman AFB (NM)7/1610 h 30 mANIMAL CAPSULE (NYU) + DOSIMETER10 miles S of Casa Grande, Arizona, US
Holloman AFB (NM)7/1811 h 30 mCOSMIC RAY PLATES30 miles NE Yuma, Arizona, US
New Brighton (MN)7/21---TECHNOLOGICAL FLIGHTBalloon burst at 34.000 ft. Payload recovered 9 miles SE of Clear Lake, Minnesota, US
New Brighton (MN)7/2334 hTECHNOLOGICAL FLIGHTIn Wessington Springs, South Dakota, US
New Brighton (MN)7/26---PROJECT GOPHER - K17 CAMERA--- No Data ---
New Brighton (MN)7/29---TECHNOLOGICAL FLIGHTPayload never recovered. Balloon found in Merignac, France
New Brighton (MN)8/56 h 10 mTECHNOLOGICAL FLIGHTPayload landed in Stratford, Wisconsin and the balloon was found that night near Walford Station, Ontario, Canada
New Brighton (MN)8/63 h 6 mTECHNOLOGICAL FLIGHT + COSMIC RAY EXPERIMENTThe equipment was recovered near Pepin, Wisconsin, and the balloon near Wheeling, Illinois, US
New Brighton (MN)8/1214 hTECHNOLOGICAL FLIGHTNear Maiden Rock, Winsconsin, US
Holloman AFB (NM)8/132 hMOBY DICK (MODEL # 4 TEST)9 miles W of Tularosa Peak, New Mexico, US
Holloman AFB (NM)8/1525 mMOBY DICK (MODEL # 4 TEST)West Area, Holloman AFB, New Mexico, US
Holloman AFB (NM)8/1822 mMOBY DICK (MODEL # 4 TEST)Water Tower of North Area, Holloman AFB, New Mexico, US
New Brighton (MN)8/1919 h 20 mTECHNOLOGICAL FLIGHTThe equipment was recovered 6 miles NE of La Valle, and the balloon 4 miles NE of Reedsburg, Winsconsin, US
Holloman AFB (NM)8/19---PAYLOAD UNKNOWN--- No Data ---
Holloman AFB (NM)8/201 h 45 mMOBY DICK (MODEL # 4 TEST)10 miles N of Tula Peak, New Mexico, US
New Brighton (MN)8/2112 hTECHNOLOGICAL FLIGHTThe equipment was recovered 2 miles ESE of Chanhassen, Minnesota, US
USCGC Eastwind8/21---NO PAYLOAD--- No Data ---
USCGC Eastwind8/21---DEACON ROCKOON (Rocket-Balloon) - SUI-01Payload no recoverable
Holloman AFB (NM)8/212 h 30 mMOBY DICK (MODEL # 4 TEST)San Andres Mountains, New Mexico, US
USCGC Eastwind8/23---DEACON ROCKOON (Rocket-Balloon) - SUI-02Payload no recoverable
Holloman AFB (NM)8/231 h 45 mMOBY DICK (MODEL # 4 TEST)1 mile W of Strip 2, Holloman AFB, New Mexico, US
Holloman AFB (NM)8/252 h 30 mSAMPLING BOTTLE + INFRARED GEAR10 miles WSW of Salinas Peak, New Mexico, EEUU
Holloman AFB (NM)8/252 hMOBY DICK (MODEL # 4 TEST)10 miles W of Tula Range Camp, New Mexico, US
Holloman AFB (NM)8/261 hMOBY DICK (MODEL # 4 TEST)2 miles S of Tula Peak, New Mexico, US
USCGC Eastwind8/274.7 hNEUTRON COUNTERPayload lost at sea.
Holloman AFB (NM)8/272 h 30 mSAMPLING BOTTLE + INFRARED GEAR28 miles NNW of Holloman AFB, New Mexico, US
Holloman AFB (NM)8/2722 h 30 mMOBY DICK (MODEL # 4 TEST)Pringle, Texas, US
New Brighton (MN)8/2820 h 30 mTECHNOLOGICAL FLIGHTPayload recovered in Princeton, Minnesota, US
USCGC Eastwind8/28---NEUTRON COUNTER--- No Data ---
USCGC Eastwind8/28---DEACON ROCKOON (Rocket-Balloon) - SUI-03Payload no recoverable
Holloman AFB (NM)8/2833 mMOBY DICK (MODEL # 4 TEST)N of Aeromedical Laboratory building, Holloman AFB, New Mexico, US
Holloman AFB (NM)8/28---GOPHER PROJECTLaunch platform failed before balloon release
Pyote AFB (TX)8/2910 h 30 mEMULSION PLATES50 miles SW of Douglas, Arizona, US
USCGC Eastwind8/29---DEACON ROCKOON (Rocket-Balloon) - SUI-04Payload no recoverable
USCGC Eastwind8/29---DEACON ROCKOON (Rocket-Balloon) - SUI-05Payload no recoverable
USCGC Eastwind8/294.2 hNEUTRON COUNTERImpact at sea. Payload not recovered.
Holloman AFB (NM)8/2933 mMOBY DICK (MODEL # 4 TEST)Near Dyvad's airport, New Mexico, US
Holloman AFB (NM)8/2960 hMOBY DICK (MODEL # 4 TEST)Recovered 5 months later in Clark, Missouri, US
Holloman AFB (NM)8/295 h 30 mGOPHER PROJECT18 miles N of San Lorenzo, New Mexico, US
USCGC Eastwind8/31---DEACON ROCKOON (Rocket-Balloon) - SUI-06Payload no recoverable
USCGC Eastwind8/318 hPHOTOGRAPHIC DEVICEImpact at sea. Payload not recovered.
USCGC Eastwind9/11hPHOTOGRAPHIC DEVICEImpact at sea. Payload not recovered.
Holloman AFB (NM)9/280 hMOBY DICK (MODEL # 4 TEST)Recovered 7 weeks later in South Ogema, Saskatchewan, Canada
Holloman AFB (NM)9/21 h 15 mMOBY DICK (MODEL # 4 TEST)10 Miles SE of Valmont, New Mexico, US
New Brighton (MN)9/31 h 25 mCOSMIC RAY STUDIESNear Lake City, Minnesota, US
New Brighton (MN)9/31 h 25 mTECHNOLOGICAL FLIGHTBalloon burst at 76.000 ft. Payload recovered near Pepin, Wisconsin, US
Holloman AFB (NM)9/380 hMOBY DICK (MODEL # 4 TEST)Recovered 5 weeks later 30 miles N of Kemmerer, Wyoming; US
Holloman AFB (NM)9/32 h 30 mINFRARED GEAR3 miles SE of Condron Field, New Mexico, US
USCGC Eastwind9/45 h 30 mNEUTRON COUNTER + PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVICESpotted on the ground but not recovered
USCGC Eastwind9/4---DEACON ROCKOON (Rocket-Balloon) - SUI-07Payload no recoverable
USCGC Eastwind9/41hPHOTOGRAPHIC DEVICEImpact at sea. Payload not recovered.
Holloman AFB (NM)9/478 hMOBY DICK (MODEL # 4 TEST)25 miles NW of Ogden, Utah, US
Holloman AFB (NM)9/44 hGOPHER PROJECTWSW of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, US
Holloman AFB (NM)9/53 h 15 mSOLAR CONSTANT MEASUREMENTS15 miles W of Las Cruces, New Mexico, US
Holloman AFB (NM)9/52 hMOBY DICK (MODEL # 4 TEST)White Sands Monument, New Mexico, US
Holloman AFB (NM)9/532 hMOBY DICK (MODEL # 4 TEST)37 miles N of Colorado Springs, Colorado, US
Holloman AFB (NM)9/662 hMOBY DICK (MODEL # 4 TEST)In Arcadia, Nebraska, US
Holloman AFB (NM)9/753 hMOBY DICK (MODEL # 4 TEST)In Aguilar, Colorado, US
Holloman AFB (NM)9/871 hMOBY DICK (MODEL # 4 TEST)35.5º N 120.5º W
Holloman AFB (NM)9/91 h 30 mINFRARED GEARBalloon burst at 52.4 kft. Payload recovered 3 miles S of White Sands, New Mexico, US
Holloman AFB (NM)9/936 hMOBY DICK (MODEL # 4 TEST)20 miles S of Ray, Arizona, US
Holloman AFB (NM)9/106 h 30 mGOPHER PROJECT + RED BAG15 miles NW of Carrizozo, New Mexico, US
Holloman AFB (NM)9/1071 hMOBY DICK (MODEL # 4 TEST)Crown Point, New Mexico, US
Holloman AFB (NM)9/114 hSOLAR CONSTANT MEASUREMENTSNear Salinas Peak, New Mexico, US
Holloman AFB (NM)9/1130 mMOBY DICK (MODEL # 4 TEST)6 miles NE of Holloman AFB, New Mexico, US
Holloman AFB (NM)9/116 hMOBY DICK (MODEL # 4 TEST)30 miles NE of Prescott, Arizona, US
Holloman AFB (NM)9/1244 hMOBY DICK (MODEL # 4 TEST)In Keyes, Oklahoma, US
Holloman AFB (NM)9/1324 h 30 mMOBY DICK (MODEL # 4 TEST)In Covington, Tennessee, US
New Brighton (MN)9/151 h 28 mTECHNOLOGICAL FLIGHT + EMULSION PACKBalloon burst at 92.886 ft. Payload recovered 5 miles E of Plum City, Winsconsin, US
Holloman AFB (NM)9/1540 hMOBY DICK (MODEL # 4 TEST)40 miloes W of Carbos, New Mexico, US
Holloman AFB (NM)9/152 h 55 mGOPHER PROJECT + RED BAGNear Strip 1, Holloman AFB, New Mexico, US
New Brighton (MN)9/169 h 15 mPAYLOAD UNKNOWN8 miles ESW from Lacrosse, Winsconsin, US
Holloman AFB (NM)9/162 h 30 mMOBY DICK (MODEL # 4 TEST)In Covington, Tennessee, US
New Brighton (MN)9/178 h 45 mTECHNOLOGICAL FLIGHT + COSMIC RAY PLATESIn Harrisville, Winsconsin, US
New Brighton (MN)9/221 h 32 mTECHNOLOGICAL FLIGHTBalloon burst at 80.892 ft. Payload recovered in Pine Island, Minnesota, US
Holloman AFB (NM)9/232 h 30 mOZONESONDE + CDE--- No Data ---
Holloman AFB (NM)9/24---GOPHER PROJECT + BALLASTVertical inflation. Load smashed on take off. No flight
Holloman AFB (NM)10/240 hGOPHER PROJECT + BALLASTNo Data. Contact lost after 40 hours of flight
Holloman AFB (NM)10/1450 hGOPHER PROJECT + BALLASTLast contact over New England, US
New Brighton (MN)10/206 h 17 mPROPORTIONAL COUNTER + CAMERA + EMULSION PLATES7 Miles N of Hulbert, Michigan, US
Holloman AFB (NM)10/223 h 30 mAIR SAMPLER35 miles ESE of Pinon, New Mexico, US
Holloman AFB (NM)10/303 hAIR SAMPLER10 miles SE of Carlsbad, New Mexico, US
Holloman AFB (NM)11/1484 hGOPHER PROJECT + BALLASTBridgeton, New Jersey, US
Holloman AFB (NM)11/203 hSKY BRIGHTNESS MEASUREMENTS20 miles E of Pinon, New Mexico, US
Holloman AFB (NM)11/21---AIR SAMPLER + SEPARATION GEAR40 miles NE of Lovington, New Mexico, US
Holloman AFB (NM)11/2136 hGOPHER PROJECT5 miles W os Sallisaw, Oklahoma, US
Holloman AFB (NM)12/114 h 30 mSOLAR CONSTANT MEASUREMENTS15 miles E of Oro Grande, New Mexico, US
Holloman AFB (NM)12/153 h 20 mSOLAR CONSTANT MEASUREMENTSIn the Fort Bliss Artillery Range, Texas, US
Holloman AFB (NM)12/165 h 15 mSPECTROGRAPH25 miles S of Pinon, New Mexico, US
Holloman AFB (NM)12/20---DUMMY LOAD (SAND BAGS)--- No Data ---
Holloman AFB (NM)12/30---CONTROL BOXSierra Blanca, Texas, US

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