STRATOFILM SF-450 / 40L (Technological Flight)

Developed by Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility (CSBF)

Balloon launched on 5/9/2007, from Scientific Flight Balloon Facility, Fort Sumner, (NM), US

Purpose of the flight and payload description

Flight qualification mission for the Stratofilm SF-450 balloon (Raven 5 later co-extruded film). The balloon is also known as "40L" and can carry a payload of 6000 lbs to a height of 127.000 feet.

The test flight was to demonstrate the ability of the new balloon design constructed with the new film to fly under normal flight conditions at its maximum payload weight.

Details of the balloon flight

Balloon launched on: 5/9/2007 at 14:48
Launch site: Scientific Flight Balloon Facility, Fort Sumner, (NM), US  
Balloon launched by: Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility (CSBF)
Balloon manufacturer/size/composition: Zero Pressure Balloon Raven - 39.570.000 cu ft - (0.8 Mil)
Balloon serial number: W 39.57-2-62
Flight identification number: 568NT
End of flight (L for landing time, W for last contact, otherwise termination time): 5/9/2007 at 19:50
Balloon flight duration (F: time at float only, otherwise total flight time in d:days / h:hours or m:minutes - ): 5 h 43 m
Landing site: East of Logan, New Mexico, US, USA

The balloon was launched by dynamic method with assistance from launch vehicle on August 26th at 15:20 utc.

After a nominal ascent phase the balloon started to move to the east and when reached the float altitude of near 120.000 feet while in the vertical of the town of House, acquired the final flight path orientation due to the west, as can be seen in the map at left (click to enlarge).

The flight was terminated with the separation of the payload at 19:30 utc near Estancia, New Mexico.

The flight was an operations and science success. The balloon performance was normal during inflation, launch, ascent, float and termination. Float altitude was 120,800 feet.

This was the 4th successful flight test of this new balloon film which is now qualified for use in NASA Standard Balloons.

External references

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