GRAPE (Gamma-Ray Polarimeter Experiment)

Developed by University of New Hampshire

Balloon launched on 9/26/2014, from Scientific Flight Balloon Facility, Fort Sumner, (NM), US

Purpose of the flight and payload description

The Gamma-RAy Polarimeter Experiment (GRAPE) is a Compton polarimeter designed to measure the polarization of astronomical sources in the soft gamma-ray band (50 - 500 keV) from a high-altitude balloon platform. Although designed primarily for studies of gamma-ray bursts over the entire sky, the instrument can also be combined with a collimator for pointed observations.

Details of the balloon flight

Balloon launched on: 9/26/2014 at 14:47 utc
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  
Flight identification number: 655N
End of flight (L for landing time, W for last contact, otherwise termination time): 9/27/2014 at 9:38 utc
Balloon flight duration (F: time at float only, otherwise total flight time in d:days / h:hours or m:minutes - ): 18 h 51 m
Landing site: W of Childress, Texas, US

External references

Images of the mission

         

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