DOUBLE PROBE ELECTRIC FIELD DETECTOR

Developed by Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE)

Balloon launched on 1/26/1994, from Balloon Launch Sector, Cachoeira Paulista, Brazil

Purpose of the flight and payload description

The instrument was flown in a stratospheric balloon under a coordinated campaign to study the stratospheric conductivity in Brazil with data supported by radar and Meteosat satellite images.

The measurements were obtained, each 10 min and for the first time, positive and negative conductivity vertical profiles were obtained in the country.

During the flight, at an average altitude of 27.5 km, the balloon passed over two thunderclouds as identified by onboard video images and photographs, as well as by radar data.

The simultaneous conductivity measurements and thundercloud observations allowed to determine that the presence of clouds affects the stratospheric negative conductivity, producing an extended and cumulative drop after the balloon passed over each cloud.

The positive conductivity, in turn, was found to be predominantly influenced by the photoelectric effect.

Details of the balloon flight

Balloon launched on: 1/26/1994 at 7:20 local
Launch site: Balloon Launch Sector, Cachoeira Paulista, Brazil  
Balloon launched by: Setor de Lancamento de Baloes (SLB) / Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE)
Balloon manufacturer/size/composition: Zero Pressure Balloon  
End of flight (L for landing time, W for last contact, otherwise termination time): 1/26/1994 at ~ 16:00 local
Balloon flight duration (F: time at float only, otherwise total flight time in d:days / h:hours or m:minutes - ): 8 hr 20 m

The balloon was launched on January 26, 1994, at 0720 LT from Cachoeira Paulista, Brazil.

After a initial ascent phase the balloon reached the ceiling altitude of 29.2 km in 1 hour and 20 min and then floated for about 7 hours.

No additional data are available about the flight.

External references

Images of the mission

         

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