OPENING FLIGHT

Developed by Centre National d'Études Spatiales (CNES)

Balloon launched on 12/4/1999, from European Space Range, Kiruna, Sweden

Purpose of the flight and payload description

At the beginning of each stratospheric balloon launch campaign, the balloon division of the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES) performs an initial launch denominated "opening flight" whose goal is to test in one flight several systems (ground to balloon communications, telemetry, localization, etc.) which will be used during the rest of the missions to be carried out during that particular campaign.

Sometimes, these flights are also used to send aloft small scientific experiments.

Details of the balloon flight

Balloon launched on: 12/4/1999 at 15.17
Launch site: European Space Range, Kiruna, Sweden  
Balloon launched by: Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES)
Balloon manufacturer/size/composition: Zero Pressure Balloon model 50SF 50.000 m3
Balloon serial number: 50SF Nº 10
End of flight (L for landing time, W for last contact, otherwise termination time): 12/4/1999 at ~ 19.00
Balloon flight duration (F: time at float only, otherwise total flight time in d:days / h:hours or m:minutes - ): 3 h 40 m
 Payload weight: 700 kgs
Gondola weight: 238 kgs

External references

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