BAP-CAS (Balloon-Borne Astrobiology Platform)

This balloon flight has been carried out under the umbrella of the Honghu Special Project (Near Space Science Experiment System) a strategic pilot technology program launched by the Chinese Academy of Sciences on March 2018. It focuses on the exploration and study of the near space environment, and relies on multi-type platforms to carry out the comprehensive detection of the near space with the most complete range of parameters possible.

Combined with multi-source data, the objective is to deeply describe the atmospheric environment, electromagnetic environment and radiation environment in the near space, and greatly improve the cognition and prediction of such realm. The aim of the program includes carrying balloon-based experiments in physics, chemistry, biology, optics, planetary space environment and remote sensing detection.Most of the balloon flights under the initiative made use of multi-instrumented platforms on which were performed experiments for all the disciplines mentioned above in a single flight.

Balloon launch operations are in charge of the Aerospace Information Research Institute.

Balloon launched on: 9/9/2019
Launch site: Dachaidan district, Qinghai Tibet Plateau, China  
Balloon launched by: Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR-CAS)
Balloon manufacturer/size/composition: Zero Pressure Balloon  
Flight identification number: HH-19-9
End of flight (L for landing time, W for last contact, otherwise termination time): 9/9/2019

• Astrobiology at altitude in Earth's near space Nat Astron 6, 289 (2022)
• Balloon-based Exposed Payload Designed for Astrobiological Research in Earth's Near Space Preprints 2023, 2023051629
• Life in the near space and implications for astrobiology Chinese Science Bulletin, Volume 65, Issue 14:1297 (2020)