Current Developments and Future Plans at NBF@Hyderabad and Prospects for Long Duration Balloon Flights

Abstract

Established in 1971, National Balloon Facility at Hyderabad is a unique centre which offers complete solution in scientific ballooning for near space access using high altitude balloons. It combines both, in house balloon production and complete flight and recovery support to the experimenters. The balloon facility is also mandated to perform necessary research and development to meet future needs in scientific ballooning and lighter than air systems. The balloon flights conducted by the facility during the last few years are of two types (a) Large volume balloons up to 740,000 m3 with heavy payloads for astronomy experiments and (b) Smaller balloons using lighter payloads for atmospheric sciences and the wind sounding flights up to 43 km altitude. At present, we are involved in the development of a portable telemetry, tracking and telecommand sub-system for remote operation and data link for long duration flights over the continent or the polar missions. Efforts are also on for the design and development of material and envelope design for high altitude platforms for the study of aerosols and trace gases. In this paper I will present details of our present activities and also outline our plans for the future directions.