PACKMAN-B (PArticle Counter k-index Magnetic ANomaly - Balloon)

Developed by Luleå University

Balloon launched on 10/18/2017, from European Space Range, Kiruna, Sweden

Purpose of the flight and payload description

PACKMAN-B is a flight model developed by the Atmospheric Science Group of the Luleå University and framed in the wider PACKMAN project, intended to monitor the type, amount, and energy of the space radiation reaching the lower layers of the atmosphere and the surface on the vicinity of the magnetic north pole, as well as their temporal variability and geographical distribution in the arctic region.

The project comprises the design and making of two different versions of the device: PACKMAN-G, intended to be settle on the ground, and PACKMAN-B, to take measurements from balloons. This way, it will be possible to define a vertical profile of the incoming space radiation. Whereas the G version is already working at Luleå University, this has been the second trial of the B one.

The balloon was launched from ESRANGE on October 18, 2017 and remained 4 hours aloft at an altitude of 26.5 km.

The instrument worked satisfactorily, registering all the expected data during the traverse of the balloon, namely, the incident cosmic radiation by means of its Geiger counters, and the magnetic field in three perpendicular axes with the correspondent magnetometers.

Details of the balloon flight

Balloon launched on: 10/18/2017
Launch site: European Space Range, Kiruna, Sweden  
Balloon launched by: SSC
Balloon manufacturer/size/composition: Zero Pressure Balloon  
End of flight (L for landing time, W for last contact, otherwise termination time): 10/18/2017
Balloon flight duration (F: time at float only, otherwise total flight time in d:days / h:hours or m:minutes - ): 4 h

External references

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