ASSOS (Atmospheric Species by Solar Occultation Spectrometry)

Project ASSOS has as objective the development of an instrument on board of a stratospheric balloon of constant ceiling based on absorption spectrometry differential for the measurement of vertical profiles of implied active stratospheric components in the balance of the ozone layer. For this project a spectrograph was adapted operating in way of absorption in the ultraviolet and visible rank, covering the spectral bands of molecules to be observed. The gondola instrumentation (see picture at left) consists of:

* A spectrograph that allows to the simultaneous registry of all the phantom wished.
* A multi-channel detector of matrix of photodiodes with time of variable integration.
* A system of acquisition of the sent data of measurement from the detector.

In addition, the instrument has:

* A control that harmonizes the general operation of the assembly of equipment, and the automatic decision making.
* A system of light collector that allows the entrance of radiation to the spectrograph.
* A shuter that closes the light passage to measure the dark current before each measurement.
* A neutral filter of variable density to compensate the enormous anticipated changes of intensity during the measurements.

Balloon launched on: 3/30/1998 at 16:33
Launch site: Virgen del Camino Airport, León, Spain  
Balloon launched by: Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES)
Balloon manufacturer/size/composition: Zero Pressure Balloon model 35SF 35.000 m3
Balloon serial number: 35SF Nº 77
End of flight (L for landing time, W for last contact, otherwise termination time): 3/30/1998 at ~ 19:30
Balloon flight duration (F: time at float only, otherwise total flight time in d:days / h:hours or m:minutes - ): 2 h 56 m
Payload weight: 239 kgs
Gondola weight: 40 kgs

• ASSOS website at INTA via Archive.Org