The aim of the experiment was to test a model of a 10 channel horizon scanning radiometer destined for aplicattion on a future satellite and to obtain data on a number of trace constituent in the stratosphere At the same time a number of scientific aircraft, balloons and sounding rockets where flown aiming to validate the data obtained by the main LACATE balloon flight instrument performance.
Balloon launched on: 5/5/1974 at 01:00 local
Launch site: White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, US
Balloon launched by: Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories (AFCRL)
Balloon manufacturer/size/composition: Zero Pressure Balloon Winzen 1.270.000 m3
End of flight (L for landing time, W for last contact, otherwise termination time): 5/5/1974 at 11:15 local
Balloon flight duration (F: time at float only, otherwise total flight time in d:days / h:hours or m:minutes - ): ~ 10 h
Landing site: 36 kms from the launch site.
Gondola weight: 272 kgs.
Succesfull cut down command. The payload release mechanism on the launch crane failed during the launch run and the gondola was dragged on the ground a short distance destroying two atmospheric temperature sensors suspended bellow the gondola.
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