LIFE (Limb Imaging Fourier transform spectrometer Experiment)

Developed by University of Saskatchewan / Stratodynamics Aviation inc. / University of Toronto / Lasalle Community Comprehensive High School / Nanikana Aerospatiale / University of British Columbia / Western University / Canadian Space Agency

Balloon launched on 9/2/2019, from Timmins Stratospheric Balloon Base, Ontario, Canada

Purpose of the flight and payload description

The LIFE mission served to test several Canadian experiments mounted on a standard CNES gondola called CARMENCITA.

The main experiment onboard that gave the mission's name was the Limb Imaging Fourier transform spectrometer Experiment (LIFE) developed by a cooperation between the University of Saskatchewan, Environment Canada, ABB Inc. and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology from Germany. The instrument is a prototype of a satellite remote sensing instrument designed to take measurements of key atmospheric greenhouse gases on-board a high-altitude balloon gondola, to test the concept and provide insight towards future versions of the instrument. It take measurements from the stratosphere, providing a vertical profile from the lower stratosphere to the upper troposphere, known as the UTLS region, an important region for understanding climate change.

HIDRON a stratospheric glider developed by Stratodynamics Aviation inc. which was released during the flight from an altitude of 114.000 ft and performed and autonomus gliding to the ground.

Stratospheric Optical Rubidium Clock Experiment (SORCE) developed at the University of Toronto and aimed to demonstrate a portable remotely-operated optical atomic clock on a stratospheric balloon platform, as a first step towards a functioning space-based system.

World Observer Learning Flight (WOLF) an experiment developed at the Lasalle Community Comprehensive High School to collect high-altitude atmospheric data.

Otachi-8 and ProtosAT-4 two experiments to test radio communication and power modules, and film the ascent of a CubeSat developed by Nanikana Aerospatiale

Atmospheric Cloud Chamber of the Okanagan University (AC2O) aimed to investigate particles in Earth's upper atmosphere that originate from primary cosmic rays. The experiment is sponsored by the University of British Columbia, as part of the Canadian Stratospheric Balloon Experiment Design Challenge (CAN-SBX) led by Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS Canada)

High-Altitude Balloon (HAB) a microbial aerosols sampling experiment led by the Western University, as part of the CAN-SBX Challenge led by SEDS Canada. The goal is to obtain bio-aerosols and moisture samples vertically throughout Earth's atmosphere.

Finally the Canadian Space Agency aported the following payloads:

Payload Remote Interface, Sensor Suite and Mass Memory Subsystem (PRISM) a multi-purpose electronics box that provides onboard Ethernet ports for payloads and offer various services to users, such as real-time localization and attitude, during the entire flight. Power Distribution Unit and Battery a modular subsystem composed by a set of Li-ion batteries and a power distribution unit developed to support payloads power requirements during STRATOS flights and a Solar Cell Experiment.

Details of the balloon flight

Balloon launched on: 9/2/2019 at 2:00 utc
Launch site: Timmins Stratospheric Balloon Base, Ontario, Canada  
Balloon launched by: Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES)
Balloon manufacturer/size/composition: Zero Pressure Balloon model 402z Airstar 402.000 m3
Flight identification number: NIMBUS-2
End of flight (L for landing time, W for last contact, otherwise termination time): 9/1/2019 at 18:30 utc
Balloon flight duration (F: time at float only, otherwise total flight time in d:days / h:hours or m:minutes - ): 15 h 30 m
Campaign: STRATO SCIENCE 2019  
Overall weight: 2010 kg

External references

Images of the mission

      Great image of the balloon transporting the #LIFE gondola taken by Tammy Yoyomax from Capreol, Ontario. The landing site of the LIFE gondola

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