Scientific Research Opportunities Using High Altitude Balloons

Paul Evenson – Bartol Institute

ANITA RF Background SurveyOur next project?

Why Fly Balloons?

Apart from the science….

• you can meet a better class of people.

Apart from the science….

• you can become famous

Apart from the science….

• you can roam the wilderness

Apart from the science….

• you can develop self discipline

Apart from the science….

• you can learn technical skills

Apart from the science….

• you can learn about American culture

Scientific Balloon Advantages

• Can reach “near space”, less than 1 millibar, greater than 160,000 feet

• Much cheaper than spacecraft

• Timescales comparable to thesis research

• “Hands on” experience for students

• Many applications of techniques

Preparing the Payload

Compatibility Test

On the Launch Vehicle

Inflating the Balloon

Launch Sequence

Descent into a Lake

Maybe You Prefer Trees?

And Then You Publish!