Purpose of the flight and payload description
The objective of the flight dubbed as ALPHA was to test a balloon electronic control system, a prototype acquisition and control telemetry system, an Over the Horizon Global Positioning System (GPS), and a color video camera.
The GPS relayed information to a navigational satellite and allowed the balloon's position to be monitored as it went over the horizon and beyond the line-of-sight of a ground control station.
Details of the balloon flight
Balloon launched on: 3/6/1997 at 8:30 local time
Launch site: Holloman Air Force Base, Alamogordo, New Mexico, US
Balloon launched by: Test and Evaluation Directorate, Space and Missile Systems Center
Balloon manufacturer/size/composition: Zero Pressure Balloon
End of flight (L for landing time, W for last contact, otherwise termination time): 3/6/1997
Payload weight: 1000 pounds
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