Sometimes things just don’t go your way. The second payload was launched yesterday, but the balloon failed. Everyone is disappointed when this happens, whether to them or a colleague. The more times these launches are successful, the more likely they will continue to be funded.
A high altitude balloon is a very complicated device. You saw in a previous post how a launch is supposed to look. Here is a post of how it is not supposed to look.
The ATTIC instrument was taken to the launch pad ahead of schedule. The launch window, defined by low, steady winds reaching more than 1000 feet high, was moving forward in time. NSBF worked hard and had the balloon laid out and ready to go. Launch occurred, but at a few hundred feet altitude some cross winds came in and twisted the balloon. A collar that keeps the balloon from opening before float was released, and the balloon started opening up more than it should have. Compare this to the CREAM photos from earlier. Remember that most of the unopened section you see above the parachute and below the bulb (the portion of the balloon that looks like a balloon) is balloon waiting to open. When all the fabric was exposed it acted like a sail.
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1 comment:
Interesting entry, but I can't see any of the pictures.-Joe
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