SDS (Solar Disk Sextant)

Developed by YALE University / NASA - Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC)

Balloon launched on 4/19/1988, from Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility, Palestine, Texas, US

Purpose of the flight and payload description

The Solar Disk Sextant (SDS) is a balloon-borne instrument whose objective is to measure the solar diameter, at different orientations, as a function of time. Results include the solar oblateness, the oscillation spectrum for use in helioseismology, and the rate of the secular variation of the solar diameter. The required instrumentation precision (a few milliarcsec) is attained by means of an objective beam splitting wedge which produces multiples solar images through consecutive reflections.

Details of the balloon flight

Balloon launched on: 4/19/1988 at 14:56 utc
Launch site: Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility, Palestine, Texas, US  
Balloon launched by: National Scientific Balloon Facility (NSBF)
Balloon manufacturer/size/composition: Zero Pressure Balloon N40I-8/8T-11.62
Balloon serial number: R11.62-1-107
Flight identification number: 1459P
End of flight (L for landing time, W for last contact, otherwise termination time): 4/19/1988 at 23:09 utc
Landing site: 10 miles SE of Vicksburg, Mississippi, US

External references

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