STRATOFILM SF-450 (Technological Flight)

Developed by Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility (CSBF)

Balloon launched on 8/26/2006, from Scientific Flight Balloon Facility, Fort Sumner, (NM), US

Purpose of the flight and payload description

Flight qualification mission for the Stratofilm SF-450 balloon.

Details of the balloon flight

Balloon launched on: 8/26/2006
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 Raven - 29.470.000 cuft
Flight identification number: 557NT
End of flight (L for landing time, W for last contact, otherwise termination time): 8/26/2006 at 19:30
Balloon flight duration (F: time at float only, otherwise total flight time in d:days / h:hours or m:minutes - ): 5 h 15 m
Landing site: 20 km NE of Estancia, NM, US

The balloon was launched by dynamic method with assistance from launch vehicle on August 26th at 15:20 utc.

After a nominal ascent phase the balloon started to move to the east and when reached the float altitude of near 120.000 feet while in the vertical of the town of House, acquired the final flight path orientation due to the west, as can be seen in the map at left (click to enlarge).

The flight was terminated with the separation of the payload at 19:30 utc near Estancia, New Mexico.

External references

Images of the mission

View of the gondola. Esentially devoted to transport measurement instruments and ballast The gondola mounted in the launch vehicle Balloon inflation View of the flight line minutes before the balloon release The balloon ascending

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