Polar patrol balloon project in Japan

Abstract

Since 1984, the National Institute of Polar Research and the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science have studied the feasibility of a long-term circumpolar balloon experiment, called Polar Patrol Balloon (PPB) project. This project aims at establishing a PPB system to bring scientific payloads in the stratosphere over the Antarctic region. Three test flights in 1987 and 1990 at Syowa Station convinced us that the PPB would have a good chance of coming back to the launching area, provided that we utilize the advantage of no sunset during the summer season in Antarctica. The PPB experiments were consequently made in 1990 to 1991. PPB #1 which was launched on 25 Dec 1990 reached a height of 30 km and drifted westwards. At 22:30 (UT) on 8 Jan 1991, the PPB passed 400 km north of Syowa Station; this means that the PPB accomplished a complete circumpolar flight over Antarctica. Second flight (#2) was successively launched on 5 Jan 1991. A further 3rd flight (#3) was carried out for 23–28 Sept 1991 when an Antarctic ozone hole was well developed.