Purpose of the flight and payload description

Fourth mission of the manned balloon program of the US Navy, onboard were the Comander Malcolm D. Ross and the scientist Charle B. Moore. In this flight a Schmidt telescope brought by the John Hopkins University was mounted on the top side of the Gondola. First observation of water vapour on the atmosphere of Venus.

Details of the balloon flight

Balloon launched on: 11/28/1959
Launch site: Stratobowl, Black Hills, South Dakota, US  
Balloon launched by: Winzen Research Inc.
Balloon manufacturer/size/composition: Zero Pressure Balloon Winzen
Balloon serial number: 172.6-200-V-78
Flight identification number: WRI 838
End of flight (L for landing time, W for last contact, otherwise termination time): 11/29/1959
Balloon flight duration (F: time at float only, otherwise total flight time in d:days / h:hours or m:minutes - ): 28 h 15 m
Landing site: Near Blaine, Kansas, US
Payload weight: 3897 lbs

External references

Images of the mission

The STRATOLAB IV gondola with the telescope mounted on his top side.        

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