A Pathfinder in the scientific ballooning jargon is an exploratory balloon sent aloft to test the stability or direction of stratospheric balloons in advance of an important mission, or when is necessary to assure that a balloon mission will follow a very precise route.
In this case, the flight was part of the preparations for the test of the Galileo Probe dropped over the White Sands Missile Range, to test the Probe's separation mechanisms and parachutes.
Balloon launched on: 7/24/1983
Launch site: Roswell Industrial Air Center, New Mexico, US
Balloon launched by: Air Force Geophysics Laboratory (AFGL)
Balloon manufacturer/size/composition: Zero Pressure Balloon Raven
Balloon serial number: 2335-536-888
Flight identification number: H83-15
End of flight (L for landing time, W for last contact, otherwise termination time): 7/24/1983
Payload weight: 26 lbs
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