EMULSION STACK

Developed by University of Rochester

Balloon launched on 8/3/1958, from Neepawa, Manitoba, Canada

Purpose of the flight and payload description

The objective of the flight was the exposure of large stacks of stripped emulsions at high geomagnetic latitudes, to investigate the proton energy spectrum at energies equal to or less than 700 Mev; to search for primary D, H3 and He3; to determine the low energy end of the heavy particle spectrum, to study interactions of heavy nuclei and to study very high energy interactions.

The emulsion stacks were planned to be flown in such a manner that they would be positioned in the proper geometry only after the balloon had reached flight altitude. For this purpose a mechanism called the stack flipper was constructed at Rochester and installed in a large 1/4" fibre glass gondola purchased from L.C. Renslow of St. Paul, Minnesota. Associated timing and pressure recording apparatus was purchased from Raven Industries, Sioux City, South Dakota. The entire assemblies when prepared for flight weighed approximately 70 Kg.

Details of the balloon flight

Balloon launched on: 8/3/1958 at 5:10 local
Launch site: Neepawa, Manitoba, Canada  
Balloon launched by: Raven Ind.
Balloon manufacturer/size/composition: Zero Pressure Balloon  
End of flight (L for landing time, W for last contact, otherwise termination time): 8/3/1958 at 16:30 local
Balloon flight duration (F: time at float only, otherwise total flight time in d:days / h:hours or m:minutes - ): 11 h 20 m

The package launched in this, the second flight of the program, consisted of 150 - 25cm x 20cm x 600 micron Ilford G-5 stripped emulsions and was exposed with the 20 cm edge horizontal.

The balloon was launched from Neepawa, Manitoba, Canada at 5:10 local time on 3 August 1958, as part of the ONR skyhook program. The floating altitude corresponded to 3.5 gm/cm2 of residual atmosphere and was attained at 8:00 local time. The effective exposure time at altitude was 8 hours and 30 minutes and the payload was separated from the balloon at 16:30 local time.

External references

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