Long-duration Stratospheric Balloon Research Articles

A multi-location joint field observation of the stratosphere and troposphere over the Tibetan Plateau

The unique geographical location and high altitude of the Tibetan Plateau can greatly influence regional weather and climate. In particular, the Asian summer monsoon (ASM) anticyclone circulation system over the Tibetan Plateau is recognized to be a significant transport pathway for water vapor and pollutants to enter the stratosphere. To improve understanding of these physical processes, a multi-location joint atmospheric experiment was performed over the Tibetan Plateau from late July to August in 2018, funded by the five-year (2018–2022) STEAM (stratosphere and troposphere exchange experiment during ASM) project, during which multiple platforms/instruments—including long-duration stratospheric balloons, dropsondes, unmanned aerial vehicles, special sounding systems, and ground-based and satellite-borne instruments—will be deployed. These complementary methods of data acquisition are expected to provide comprehensive atmospheric parameters (aerosol, ozone, water vapor, CO2, CH4, CO, temperature, pressure, turbulence, radiation, lightning and wind); the richness of this approach is expected to advance our comprehension of key mechanisms associated with thermal, dynamical, radiative, and chemical transports over the Tibetan Plateau during ASM activity.

The short wavelength instrument for the polarization explorer balloon‐borne experiment: Polarization modulation issues

In this paper we investigate the impact of using a polarization modulator in The Short Wavelength Instrument for the Polarization Explorer (SWIPE) of the large scale polarization explorer (LSPE). The experiment is optimized to measure the linear polarization of the cosmic microwave background at large angular scales during a circumpolar long‐duration stratospheric balloon mission, and uses multimode bolometers cooled to .3 K. The 330 detectors cover three bands at 140, 220, and 240 GHz. Polarimetry is achieved by means of a large rotating half‐wave plate (HWP) and a single wire‐grid polarizer in front of the arrays. The polarization modulator is the first polarization‐active component of the optical chain, reducing significantly the effect of instrumental polarization. A trade‐off study comparing stepped versus spinning HWPs drives the choice towards the second. Modulating the cosmic microwave background polarization signal at four times the spin frequency moves it away from 1/f noise from the detectors and the residual atmosphere. The HWP is cooled to 1.6 K to reduce the background on the detectors. Furthermore, its polarized emission combined with the emission of the polarizer produces spurious signals modulated at 2f and 4f. The 4f component is synchronous with the signal of interest and has to characterized to be removed from cosmological data.

First quasi-Lagrangian in situ measurements of Antarctic Polar springtime ozone: observed ozone loss rates from the Concordiasi long-duration balloon campaign

Abstract. We present ozone measurements made using state-of-the-art ultraviolet photometers onboard three long-duration stratospheric balloons launched as part of the Concordiasi campaign in austral spring 2010. Ozone loss rates calculated by matching air parcels sampled at different times and places during the polar spring are in agreement with rates previously derived from ozonesonde measurements, for the vortex average, ranging between 2 and 7 ppbv per sunlit hour or between 25 and 110 ppbv per day. However, the geographical coverage of these long-duration stratospheric balloon platforms provides new insights into the temporal and spatial patterns of ozone loss over Antarctica. Very large ozone loss rates of up to 230 ppbv per day (16 ppbv per sunlit hour) are observed for air masses that are downwind of the Antarctic Peninsula and/or over the East Antarctic region. The ozone loss rate maximum downstream of the Antarctic Peninsula region is consistent with high PSC occurrence from CALIPSO and large ClO abundances from MLS satellite observations for 12–22 September 2010, and with a chemical box model simulation using JPL 2011 kinetics with full chlorine activation.

THz photometers for solar flare observations from space

Fil: Kaufmann, Pierre. Universidade Estadual de Campinas; Brasil. Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie; Brasil

Precision CMB measurements with long-duration stratospheric balloons: activities in the Arctic

AbstractWe report on the activities preparing long duration stratospheric flights, suitable for CMB (Cosmic Microwave Background) measurements, in the Arctic region. We focus on pathfinder flights, and on two forthcoming experiments to be flown from Longyearbyen (Svalbard islands): the OLIMPO Sunyaev-Zeldovich spectrometer, and the Large-Scale Polarization Explorer (LSPE).

Stratospheric Satellites for Earth Observations

Abstract Advanced, robust, yet inexpensive observational platforms and networks of platforms will make revolutionary Earth science observations possible in the next 30 years. One new platform concept that is needed is a long-duration stratospheric balloon flying in a near-space environment and capable of remaining aloft for a year carrying a half ton of payload. We dub these platforms StratoSats for stratospheric satellites because they usually orbit the Earth in the stratosphere with an orbit period of 10–20 days. StratoSats can complement space satellites or play a completely independent role in Earth observation. Constellations of these platforms could steer themselves to desired locations and perform coordinated in situ and remote sensing observations of the Earth and its atmosphere. In principle, such constellations could easily surpass the capabilities of a single satellite for far less cost. NASA has defined stratospheric science measurement requirements and platform capabilities for several Earth ...

Exotic UV astronomy

After considering a number of historical but somewhat “forgotten” UV astronomy experiments, I discuss a number of ways of non-conventional astronomy in the ultraviolet that, on first considerations, could be viable alternatives and valuable complements to classical space observations. These are (a) UV astronomy from the Antarctic or the Arctic regions that take advantage of the “ozone hole”, (b) the use of high-altitude stratospheric balloon-borne telescopes, and (c) the operation of UV telescopes on the Moon. The advantages of these options are discussed and evaluated against the costs of each option and, one by one, are mostly rejected as not fully justifying the specific alternative. The possibility to achieve valuable (but limited) UV science, such as imaging at ∼2000 A, using long-duration stratospheric balloons is described. The option of lunar UV observatories is retained to be implemented for the case of a UV interferometer, where the stability of the lunar regolith is seen as a significant advantage in comparison to free-flying interferometers. A location beyond the main asteroid belt, where the background due zodiacal light may be negligible, is advocated as an ideal location for a UV observatory in the Solar System.

Global balloon flight obstacles and opportunities

Global ballooning is inherently an international activity with the need for international agreements to fly over sovereign territories. Tests of super-pressure balloons indicate that 60–100 day flights will be demonstrated in the near future, although there are some additional technical issues that limit mission performance, such as measurable trajectory control, wide-band telemetry and night time power systems. If these issues can be resolved, scientists will be able to reap the benefits of more frequent access to near-space for cutting-edge research and technology development. The cost effectiveness of long-duration balloon missions compared to orbital missions allows more scientists to focus on research topics that need the space environment. Following the 2000 Warsaw meeting, the COSPAR Bureau agreed to constitute a task group to look into the complex issues associated with long-duration stratospheric balloon flights. The international scientific community should support this study and reach out to potential users of this new capability.

Global balloon flight obstacles and opportunities

Global ballooning is inherently an international activity with the need for international agreements to fly over sovereign territories. Tests of super-pressure balloons indicate that 60–100 day flights will be demonstrated in the near future, although there are some additional technical issues that limit mission performance, such as measurable trajectory control, wide-band telemetry and night time power systems. If these issues can be resolved, scientists will be able to reap the benefits of more frequent access to near-space for cutting-edge research and technology development. The cost effectiveness of long-duration balloon missions compared to orbital missions allows more scientists to focus on research topics that need the space environment. Following the 2000 Warsaw meeting, the COSPAR Bureau agreed to constitute a task group to look into the complex issues associated with long-duration stratospheric balloon flights. The international scientific community should support this study and reach out to potential users of this new capability.

A self-contained 3He refrigerator suitable for long duration balloon experiments

We describe the design, development and test of a self-contained 3He fridge, aimed to cool at ≲0.3 K a bolometric detection system with a hold time of two weeks. The system is robust and suitable for operation on a long-duration stratospheric balloon payload. A physical model of the fridge has been developed, which describes the measured hold time, limiting temperature and load curve of the fridge. The system has been flight tested successfully during two balloon flights of the BOOMERanG payload in summer 1997.