BIMS (Balloon Borne Ion Mass Spectrometer)

Developed by Ionospheric Physics Division, Air Force Geophysics Laboratory (AFGL)

Balloon launched on 10/6/1983, from White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, US

Purpose of the flight and payload description

BIMS was the acronym for Balloon-borne Ion Mass Spectrometer an instrument developed in the early 1980's decade by the Ionospheric Physics Division of the Air Force Geophysics Laboratory. The goal of BIMS was to acquire information on the ionic conditions in the upper stratosphere, a region critical to the understanding and modeling of extremely low frequency radio propagation.

Details of the balloon flight

Balloon launched on: 10/6/1983
Launch site: White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, US  
Balloon launched by: Air Force Geophysics Laboratory (AFGL)
Balloon manufacturer/size/composition: Zero Pressure Balloon Winzen 11.620.000 cuft (0.5 Mils - Cap. 0.9 Mils - Stratofilm)
Balloon serial number: 307.51-0.5-NSCR 0.9 Cap. SN:6
Flight identification number: H83-18
End of flight (L for landing time, W for last contact, otherwise termination time): 10/6/1983
Balloon flight duration (F: time at float only, otherwise total flight time in d:days / h:hours or m:minutes - ): 9 h 15 m
 Payload weight: 2054 lbs

External references

  • AFGL Balloon History since 7/7/1982 in Operational climatology for research ballooning in south central New Mexico (1988)
  • Flight Summary of balloons made of Stratofilm - 1981 to 1983, Technical report, Winzen Research International. Circa 1984 - Stratocat's private collection

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