Developments and advances in scientific balloon capability of the TIFR National Balloon Facility, Hyderabad

Abstract

The Indian balloon group started development of plastic balloon technology in 1956, and today it is one of the leading balloon groups in the world. For the last 25 years, the TIFR scientific balloon group has been carrying out plastic balloon flights from TIFR's National Ballooning Facility (TNBF), Hyderabad. The TNBF undertakes design and fabrication of large zero pressure plastic balloons and provides full flight services: PCM Telemetry, Telecommand, tracking and dynamic launch of scientific payload weighing upto 1200 kg. The TNBF is responsible for all balloon flights as well as for the R & D in all aspects of scientific ballooning viz. balloon engineering, balloon material and other balloon subsystems like telemetry, telecommand, tracking and general flight control instrumentation. A continued effort in R & D in balloon film material has resulted in establishing a new balloon grade film codenamed ANTARIX. This balloon film has all the requisite low temperature characteristics essential for a good balloon film. For example, the cold brittle point of ANTARIX balloon film is −96°C. A number of balloon flights made with balloons made out of ANTARIX balloon film have been successful; this includes the recent balloon flight in April 1994 with a 1000 kg payload. Present capabilities include design, manufacture and launch of 430,000 cu.m. balloon to altitudes of 41.5 km with 500 kg scientific payload. Todate the TNBF has carried out 432 balloon flights for various disciplines of space sciences - primary cosmic ray studies, X-ray, Gamma-ray and Infrared Astronomies and Atmospheric Sciences. These balloon flights have provided very good scientific results. Recent developments and achievements in Scientific Ballooning in India are presented.