Abstract
Whitepaper #141 submitted to the Planetary Science and Astrobiology Decadal Survey 2023-2032. Topics: other: Stratospheric balloon based science; other science themes: Astronomy; ground- and space-based telescopes
Highlights
Long used for studies that have advanced our understanding of astrophysical and heliospheric phenomena, balloon-borne investigations have heretofore played a minor role in recent years in the mission portfolio in the Planetary Science Division (PSD) of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate
Work by the Gondola for High-Altitude Planetary Science (GHAPS) project and missions flown by other disciplines have further advanced balloon platform capabilities with improved guiding and pointing technologies, better data return, and the promise of ultra-long and mid-latitude flights
While ultraviolet wavelengths are likewise observable only at high enough altitude or in space, the GHAPS study found that technical requirements for a balloon platform to accomplish both infrared and ultraviolet observations at the same time adds complexity and cost, it is recommended that initial efforts be focused on only one of these wavelength ranges
Summary
Science Enabled from High Altitude Balloons: Balloon-borne platforms for planetary science observations can play a key role in addressing numerous outstanding decadal-level science questions. Work by the Gondola for High-Altitude Planetary Science (GHAPS) project and missions flown by other disciplines have further advanced balloon platform capabilities with improved guiding and pointing technologies, better data return, and the promise of ultra-long and mid-latitude flights.
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