Strategic Plans for NASA Research Ballooning
Abstract
Strategic planning is underway to maximize the return from the increased capabilities anticipated in scientific research ballooning. Circumpolar flights around Antarctica were initiated in the early 1990's to help offset the impact of losing Shuttle/Spacelab missions for the observational sciences following the Challenger accident. The Antarctic Long-Duration Balloon (LDB) program, conducted in partnership with the U.S. National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs, has been even more successful than originally envisioned. In essence, there have been two LDB missions per year, with an average duration of about 14 days, using conventional zero-pressure balloons. Two LDB flights of similar duration in the Northern Hemisphere have shown the value of developing a routine capability that would complement the Antarctic flights. The development of super-pressure balloons should allow LDB flights at any latitude, and it is reasonable to expect that mission durations can be extended to 60 - 100 days. Assuming that the technical issues will be resolved and international agreements can be secured, scientists will be able to reap the benefits of frequent access to near-space for cutting-edge research and technology development, thereby reducing the impact of restrictions on the use of the International Space Station and the Shuttle retirement in the next decade.
- Publication:
-
35th COSPAR Scientific Assembly
- Pub Date:
- 2004
- Bibcode:
- 2004cosp...35.1768J