Purpose of the flight and payload description

This balloon transported two suites of sensors denominated TSEN aimed to obtain in-situ values of pressure, temperature and winds which was developed by the Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique (LMD) from France. These elements were transported onboard a long-duration super pressure balloon developed by Zodiac with a diameter of 12 meters. This balloon is capable of drifting for several months between at 20 km of altitude, carrying payload gondolas weighing 22 kilograms. Their closed envelope is filled with helium which expands during its ascent, giving it a spheroid shape when it reaches its ceiling altitude. The flight duration is ultimately determined by helium leak or diffusion through the balloon envelope.

Details of the balloon flight

Balloon launched on: 2/24/2008 at 15:55 utc
Launch site: Seychelles International Airport, Mahe  
Balloon launched by: Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES)
Balloon manufacturer/size/composition: Super Pressure Balloon 12 meters diameter
Balloon serial number: BPS 12 m Nº 51
Flight identification number: PC N021 907, vol BL N° 5
End of flight (L for landing time, W for last contact, otherwise termination time): 2/26/2008 at 10:40 utc
Balloon flight duration (F: time at float only, otherwise total flight time in d:days / h:hours or m:minutes - ): 43 h
Campaign: SCOUT-O3  
Payload weight: 17 kg
Overall weight: 50 kg

The balloon was launched on February 24 2008 at 15:55 utc, from Mahe International Airport in Seychelles. After a nominal ascent of 2 hours it reached float altitude of 19.5 km at 17:55 utc that same day. During the second night aloft the balloon loss Iridium link and was cut down by timer at 10:40 utc on February 26.

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