BAP-CAS (Balloon-Borne Astrobiology Platform)

Developed by Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)

Balloon launched on 9/3/2020, from Dachaidan district, Qinghai Tibet Plateau, China

Purpose of the flight and payload description

This balloon flight has been carried out under the umbrella of the Honghu Special Project (Near Space Science Experiment System) a strategic pilot technology program launched by the Chinese Academy of Sciences on March 2018. It focuses on the exploration and study of the near space environment, and relies on multi-type platforms to carry out the comprehensive detection of the near space with the most complete range of parameters possible.

Combined with multi-source data, the objective is to deeply describe the atmospheric environment, electromagnetic environment and radiation environment in the near space, and greatly improve the cognition and prediction of such realm. The aim of the program includes carrying balloon-based experiments in physics, chemistry, biology, optics, planetary space environment and remote sensing detection.Most of the balloon flights under the initiative made use of multi-instrumented platforms on which were performed experiments for all the disciplines mentioned above in a single flight.

Balloon launch operations are in charge of the Aerospace Information Research Institute.

Details of the balloon flight

Balloon launched on: 9/3/2020 at 1:02 cst
Launch site: Dachaidan district, Qinghai Tibet Plateau, China  
Balloon launched by: Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR-CAS)
Balloon manufacturer/size/composition: Zero Pressure Balloon 50.000 m3
Flight identification number: HH-20-7
End of flight (L for landing time, W for last contact, otherwise termination time): 9/3/2020 at 19:46 cst (L)
Balloon flight duration (F: time at float only, otherwise total flight time in d:days / h:hours or m:minutes - ): 18 h 44 m
Landing site: In the Tibetan plateau at coordinates 92.48º E - 37.57º N

The 50.000 m3 balloon was launched at 1:02 China Standard Time (CST) on September 3, 2020 from a site in Dachaidan, Qinghai, China (37°44'N, 95°21'E). The balloon flew for a total of 18 h and 44 min maintaining a mean floating altitude of 23 km for 14 hours. Payload landed at 19:46 cst at 37°57'N, 92°48'E.

External references

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