BEENS (Balloon Experiment on the Electrodynamics of Near Space)

Developed by Indian Institute of Geomagnetism / Tata Institute of Fundamental Research

Balloon launched on 1/17/2025, from TIFR National Balloon Facility, Hyderabad, India

Purpose of the flight and payload description

The BEENS (Balloon Experiment on the Electrodynamics of Near Space) was a high-altitude balloon experiment conducted to measure electric fields in the stratosphere from low geomagnetic latitudes. The experiment used a sophisticated payload with five spherical probes arranged in orthogonal pairs to detect horizontal and vertical electric field components at an altitude of 35 km over the Indian Peninsula. The experiment was developed at the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism and counted with the support of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.

The primary objective was to capture electric field signals at stratospheric altitudes from low geomagnetic latitudes (approximately 8-9 degrees), where such fields are generally believed to be weak (1-3 mV/m) and primarily of ionospheric origin. The experiment aimed to explore whether detectable electric fields existed at these altitudes and latitudes, challenging the traditional view that the middle atmosphere behaves as an electrodynamically passive medium that simply transmits electric fields from upper and lower atmospheric sources. The researchers were particularly interested in investigating horizontal electric fields, which previous studies had suggested could be generated by atmospheric motions driven by inertia gravity waves, potentially reaching amplitudes of 10-20 mV/m during nighttime and 100-150 mV/m during daytime. This exploratory mission sought to advance understanding of the global electric circuit and the role of the stratosphere in atmospheric electrodynamics, using advanced femtoampere bias current technology to detect these weak electric field signals.

Details of the balloon flight

Balloon launched on: 1/17/2025 at 22:00 IST
Launch site: TIFR National Balloon Facility, Hyderabad, India  
Balloon launched by: Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR)
Balloon manufacturer/size/composition: Zero Pressure Balloon  
End of flight (L for landing time, W for last contact, otherwise termination time): 1/18/2025
Balloon flight duration (F: time at float only, otherwise total flight time in d:days / h:hours or m:minutes - ): F 6 h
Landing site: Jalsangi village in Bidar district, Karnataka, India

External references

Images of the mission

         

If you consider this website interesting or useful, you can help me to keep it up and running with a small donation to cover the operational costs. Just the equivalent of the price of a cup of coffee helps a lot.



16658