GAMMA RAY EXPERIMENT

Developed by University of California, Berkeley (UCB)

Balloon launched on 2/16/1988, from Australian Balloon Launching Station, Alice Springs, Australia

Purpose of the flight and payload description



*** PAYLOAD DESCRIPTION WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON ***

News about the crash

Details of the balloon flight

Balloon launched on: 2/16/1988 at 20:52 utc
Launch site: Australian Balloon Launching Station, Alice Springs, Australia  
Balloon launched by: National Scientific Balloon Facility (NSBF)
Balloon manufacturer/size/composition: Zero Pressure Balloon N29I-8/8/8T-28.40
Balloon serial number: R28.40-2-101
Flight identification number: 243N
End of flight (L for landing time, W for last contact, otherwise termination time): 2/25/1988
Balloon flight duration (F: time at float only, otherwise total flight time in d:days / h:hours or m:minutes - ): 9 d
Landing site: Mogi Mirim, Sao Paulo, Brazil

The balloon was launched from Australia and after crossing the Pacific Ocean, was terminated over Brazil. After termination, low level winds modified the descent trajectory of the payload which impacted the roof of a house located in the urban center of Mogi Mirim, in the Campinas region. As a result of the mishap there were no personal injuries, the house had extensive damage in the roof and the water tank. Also the area sourrounding the house suffered a blackout after the landing.

The payload was extracted from the house with the help of a bulldozer and taken to the facilities of the Brazilian Space Aghency in Sao Jose dos Campos.

NASA paid for all the damages suffered at Mogi Mirim.

External references

Images of the mission

The payload that impacted the roof oh a house in Mogi Mirim (picture by Waldemar Padovani - O Estado de Sao Paulo) The news about the accidented landing of the Gamma Ray payload published on Febraury 26 by the Estado de Sao Paulo journal      

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