STRATOLAB HIGH IV - (Moore - Ross)

Developed by Office of Naval Research (ONR)

Balloon launched on 11/28/1959, from Stratobowl, Black Hills, South Dakota, US

Purpose of the flight and payload description

Named "STRATO-LAB HIGH #4", this flight was part of an astrophysical research program sponsored by the Office of Naval Research and the National Science Foundation, with its principal objective to determine the feasibility of conducting astrnomical research utilizing a manned balloon borne observatory.

The flight was piloted by Commander Malcolm D. Ross USNR, and Charles B. Moore of Arthur D. Little, inc. of Cambridge, Massachusetts while the Johns Hopkins University Laboratory of Astrophysics and Physical Meteorology, under the direction of Professor John Strong was responsible for the development and fabrication of the Schmidt telescope and spectrograph system which comprised the primary scientific equipment carried aloft on this flight.

Details of the balloon flight

Balloon launched on: 11/28/1959
Launch site: Stratobowl, Black Hills, South Dakota, US  
Balloon launched by: Winzen Research Inc.
Balloon manufacturer/size/composition: Zero Pressure Balloon Winzen
Balloon serial number: 172.6-200-V-78
Flight identification number: WRI 838
End of flight (L for landing time, W for last contact, otherwise termination time): 11/29/1959
Balloon flight duration (F: time at float only, otherwise total flight time in d:days / h:hours or m:minutes - ): 28 h 15 m
Landing site: Near Blaine, Kansas, US
 Payload weight: 3897 lbs

External references

Images of the mission

The STRATOLAB IV gondola with the telescope mounted on his top side.        

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