Semi-dynamic launching method for scientific balloons

Abstract

The Sanriku Balloon Center (SBC), which belongs to the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, was built in 1971. The launching field of SBC was 140 m in length and 20 m in width. In Japan, the balloon launching method that we have been using since 1971 is a kind of static launching method. In 1998, we extended the launching field 20 m in length and created a new launcher at this point. We have recently developed a “semi-dynamic” launching method. This newly developed launcher is different from the launcher used in the dynamic launching method, it is fixed to the ground creating freedom of rotation around the vertical axis. It is also possible for the launcher to lift up a payload to a height of 5 m from the ground. We succeeded in launching the first test balloon by using this new launching method on September 6, 1999. Utilizing the new launching machine, it became possible to launch a balloon with a volume of 1,000,000 m 3 and a total lift of 2 tons, even in Japan.