GRAMS (Gamma-Ray and AntiMatter Survey)

Developed by Northeastern University / Waseda University

Balloon launched on 7/27/2023, from Multipurpose Aviation Research Field, Taiki-Cho, Hokkaido, Japan

Purpose of the flight and payload description

The balloon was launched from the Taiki Aerospace Research Field at 3:55 Japan Standard Time (JST) on July 27, 2023. The balloon ascended at a speed of about 230 meters per second to reach 29 km of altitude 2 hours and 4 minutes after launched, while flying above the Pacific Ocean about 60 km east of the Taiki base. After concluding the scientific phase of the flight the payload was separated from the balloon and amerized at 6:43 JST about 35 km southeast of the Taiki base to be recovered by ship about 7:14 JST.

GRAMS (Gamma-Ray and AntiMatter Survey) is a proposed next-generation experiment that aims both astrophysical observations with MeV gamma rays and indirect dark matter searches with antimatter using a LArTPC (Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber) detector. With a cost-effective, large scale LArTPC detector, GRAMS can extensively probe astrophysical objects in the poorly-explored MeV energy region. The GRAMS sensitivity to MeV gamma rays can be an order of magnitude improved with a single balloon flight, compared with the previous experiments while the satellite mission can be comparable to the future proposed missions. The project could potentially be the first to detect MeV gamma rays from neutron star mergers associated with gravitational waves as well as from Galactic neutron star merger remnants. The GRAMS antimatter survey can provide background-free dark matter signatures, which may allow us to verify the possible dark matter detection reported by Fermi and AMS-02.

The current mission was a proof of concept of the first stage of the GRAMS project. A small LArTPC was flown for the first time to establish a technical method will to operate it stably in flight.

Details of the balloon flight

Balloon launched on: 7/27/2023 at 3:55 jst
Launch site: Multipurpose Aviation Research Field, Taiki-Cho, Hokkaido, Japan  
Balloon launched by: Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) / Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
Balloon manufacturer/size/composition: Zero Pressure Balloon model B30 30.000 m3
Flight identification number: B23-06
End of flight (L for landing time, W for last contact, otherwise termination time): 7/27/2023 at 6:43 jst
Balloon flight duration (F: time at float only, otherwise total flight time in d:days / h:hours or m:minutes - ): 3 h 20 m
Landing site: In the Pacific Ocean 35 km SE of Taiki, Japan

The balloon was launched from the Taiki Aerospace Research Field at 3:55 Japan Standard Time (JST) on July 27, 2023. The balloon ascended at a speed of about 230 meters per second to reach 29 km of altitude 2 hours and 4 minutes after launched, while flying above the Pacific Ocean about 60 km east of the Taiki base. After concluding the scientific phase of the flight the payload was separated from the balloon and amerized at 6:43 JST about 35 km southeast of the Taiki base to be recovered by ship about 7:14 JST.

External references

Images of the mission

         

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