COSMIC RAY STUDIES

Developed by Naval Research Laboratory (NRL)

Balloon launched on 9/3/1952, from University of Minnesota Airport, New Brighton, US

Purpose of the flight and payload description

The so-called GIANT SKYHOOK mission was a test flight of a 3.000.000 cubic feet balloon manufactured by General Mills. At the time it was the largest one ever made. The balloon measuring 178 meters in diameter was made of polyethylene plastic 0.001 inch thick and designed to float at an altitude of 120,000 feet

This first test was meant to transport onboard a 250 pound gondola of scientific instrumentation for the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), and special photographic plates for NRL and private institutions. The main payload was devoted to study cosmic-ray particles.

Details of the balloon flight

Balloon launched on: 9/3/1952 at 6:40 cst
Launch site: University of Minnesota Airport, New Brighton, US  
Balloon launched by: General Mills Inc.
Balloon manufacturer/size/composition: Zero Pressure Balloon General Mills - 3.000.000 cuft (178 feet in diameter)
Balloon serial number:  
Flight identification number:  
End of flight (L for landing time, W for last contact, otherwise termination time): 9/3/1952 at 8:15 cst
Balloon flight duration (F: time at float only, otherwise total flight time in d:days / h:hours or m:minutes - ): 1 h 25 m
Landing site: Near Lake City, Minnesota, US
 Payload weight: 250 pds

The balloon was launched at 6:40 CST on September 3, 1952, at the General Mills Flight Facility in the University of Minnesota airport near New Brighton. While the balloon was being inflated, shifting winds caused excessive handling of the fragile material and holes appeared approximately 30 feet from the apex of the balloon. It was decided to launch the balloon in order to observe the feasibility of the experimental launching technique, but the valuable scientific instruments were detached prior to take-off.

Although the perforations in the giant balloon prevented the ascent of the instruments, the launching itself was successful and provided needed experience in handling a plastic balloon approximately four times as large as any previous Skyhook. The balloon managed to reach an estimated altitude of 35,000 feet before it was automatically terminated two hours later and landed in a farm near Lake City in Minnesota.

External references

Images of the mission

         

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