BALLOON DEVELOPMENT AND UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO NUCLEAR EMULSION FLIGHT PROGRAMS
Abstract
The development is described of a balloon capable of carrying a 1500 pound scientific payload to an altitude of 120,000 feet for a minimum duration of 24 hours. Flights utilizing the balloon for carrying the University of Chicago's nuclear emulsion payload are summarized. The resultant balloon design was a natural shaped balloon with a volume of ten million cubic feet featuring a cap, essentially double wall construction, extending down from the apex for a distance of 200 feet. The balloon shell and cap were initially constructed from 1 mil and 1.5 mil polyethylene, respectively, and reinforced with 500 pound fortican load bands. The design was later modified by reducing the cap material to 1 mil and the length of the cap to 120 feet. The test program consisted of conducting a static ground inflation test to establish the maximum permissible inflation and one test flight with a simulated scientific payload. Balloon performance appeared to be satisfactory. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 31, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0284869