SCRIBE (Stratospheric CRyogenic Interferometer Balloon Experiment)

Developed by University of Denver

Balloon launched on 6/21/1985, from Roswell Industrial Air Center, New Mexico, US

Purpose of the flight and payload description

SCRIBE is a balloon-borne, high resolution Fourier transform spectrometer designed to measure atmospheric emission at stratospheric altitudes with high resolution (0.06 cm) and high sensitivity.

Just after release, the payload struck the ground damaging the package and causing a loss of commnand and balloon control links. Although the interferometer telemetry link instrument still functioned, the elevation angle and detector bias could not be changed. With the instrument locked in an upward viewing geometry and the bias at the low setting, very little useful data were obtained.

Details of the balloon flight

Balloon launched on: 6/21/1985 at 1:55 mdt
Launch site: Roswell Industrial Air Center, New Mexico, US  
Balloon launched by: Air Force Geophysics Laboratory (AFGL)
Balloon manufacturer/size/composition: Zero Pressure Balloon Winzen - 5.142.000 cuft (Stratofilm 1.0 mil.)
Balloon serial number: SF234.29-100 NSC
Flight identification number: H85-09
End of flight (L for landing time, W for last contact, otherwise termination time): 6/21/1985
Balloon flight duration (F: time at float only, otherwise total flight time in d:days / h:hours or m:minutes - ): 1 h
Landing site: Balloon damaged at launch
 Payload weight: 2927 lbs

External references

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