Sébastien CHASTANET

Inflating the auxiliary balloon that will lift the CLIMAT gondola pending its flight at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. The load-carrying stratospheric balloon, 50 times larger than the auxiliary balloon, will take over and lift the gondola to an altitude of several tens of kilometres. Auxiliary balloons are used to raise delicate equipment off the ground, with the main balloon taking over afterwards. CLIMAT is a 240 kg gondola, carried under a 150,000 cu. m balloon to a…

Setting up lighting equipment ready for the CLIMAT release at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. The CLIMAT flight (Combination of Lasers and Instruments for in situ Measurement of the Atmosphere of Earth) concerns a group of experiments by French and European laboratories aimed at furthering research into atmospheric physics and chemistry. For example, its 2015 flight enabled scientists to identify a 10% increase in methane in columns between 0 km and 15 km between 2000 and…

Inflating the auxiliary balloon that will lift the CLIMAT gondola pending its flight at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. The load-carrying stratospheric balloon, 50 times larger than the auxiliary balloon, will take over and lift the gondola to an altitude of several tens of kilometres. Auxiliary balloons are used to raise delicate equipment off the ground, with the main balloon taking over afterwards. CLIMAT is a 240 kg gondola, carried under a 150,000 cu. m balloon to a…

Preparing the CARMEN gondola flight assembly at the Alice Springs facility in Australia. The flight assembly generally consists of the gondola and its payload of scientific instruments, but also a radar transponder, parachutes to enable a controlled landing during the balloon's post-mission descent, and a small auxiliary balloon from which the gondola is suspended pending lift-off. The CLIMAT flight (Combination of Lasers and Instruments for in situ Measurement of the Atmosphere of Earth)…

Preparing the CARMEN gondola at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. CARMEN (ChARacterisation and Modelling of the Environment) is a gondola designed to carry a modular payload of scientific instruments, suspended from a stratospheric balloon. It eliminates the need to develop dedicated gondolas (designed specifically for a particular instrument and as such, impractical to reuse). CASOLBA was installed in CARMEN for the Austral campaign of April 2017. The CASOLBA (CALibration of…

Meeting to prepare for post-flight operations to recover the balloon envelope and the flight string including the science gondola. This meeting was held as part of the preparations for the PILOT, CLIMAT and CARMEN/CASOLBA mission flights at the Alice Springs facility in Australia. The mission gondolas, lifted by helium-filled balloons, were launched to an altitude of several tens of kilometres in April 2017. Measurements are more economical and simpler to perform using balloons than using…

Preparing for the CASOLBA mission at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. The CASOLBA (CALibration of SOLar cells for BAlloon flight) mission payload consists of 60 photovoltaic solar cells. The aim of the mission is to calibrate the cells in real-life, quasi-space conditions. The cells will serve as primary calibration standards, from which to produce secondary standards that will in turn be used by manufacturers of solar cells intended for satellites. CASOLBA has been installed…

Preparing the scientific instruments for the CARMEN gondola at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. CARMEN (ChARacterisation and Modelling of the Environment) is a gondola designed to carry a modular payload of scientific instruments, suspended from a stratospheric balloon. It eliminates the need to develop dedicated gondolas (designed specifically for a particular instrument and as such, impractical to reuse). CASOLBA was installed in CARMEN for the Austral campaign of April…

Configuring the solar cells for the CASOLBA mission at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. The CASOLBA (CALibration of SOLar cells for BAlloon flight) mission payload consists of 60 photovoltaic solar cells. The aim of the mission is to calibrate the cells in real-life, quasi-space conditions. The cells will serve as primary calibration standards, from which to produce secondary standards that will in turn be used by manufacturers of solar cells intended for satellites. CASOLBA…

Preparing the CARMEN gondola at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. CARMEN (ChARacterisation and Modelling of the Environment) is a gondola designed to carry a modular payload of scientific instruments, suspended from a stratospheric balloon. It eliminates the need to develop dedicated gondolas (designed specifically for a particular instrument and as such, impractical to reuse). CASOLBA was installed in CARMEN for the Austral campaign of April 2017. The CASOLBA (CALibration of…

Configuring the solar cells for the CASOLBA mission at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. The CASOLBA (CALibration of SOLar cells for BAlloon flight) mission payload consists of 60 photovoltaic solar cells. The aim of the mission is to calibrate the cells in real-life, quasi-space conditions. The cells will serve as primary calibration standards, from which to produce secondary standards that will in turn be used by manufacturers of solar cells intended for satellites. CASOLBA…

Solar cells for the CASOLBA mission at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. The CASOLBA (CALibration of SOLar cells for BAlloon flight) mission payload consists of 60 photovoltaic solar cells. The aim of the mission is to calibrate the cells in real-life, quasi-space conditions. The cells will serve as primary calibration standards, from which to produce secondary standards that will in turn be used by manufacturers of solar cells intended for satellites. CASOLBA has been…

Launching a lightweight dilatable sounding balloon in preparation for the PILOT, CLIMAT and CARMEN/CASOLBA missions at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. These small, sealed dilatable balloons are of the same type as used to gather meteorological data (weather balloons). Despite having a limited payload weight, this type of balloon can collect a great deal of useful data via a wide variety of instruments, such as particle counters or ozone meters, which measure the ozone…

Preparing for the CASOLBA mission at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. The CASOLBA (CALibration of SOLar cells for BAlloon flight) mission payload consists of 60 photovoltaic solar cells. The aim of the mission is to calibrate the cells in real-life, quasi-space conditions. The cells will serve as primary calibration standards, from which to produce secondary standards that will in turn be used by manufacturers of solar cells intended for satellites. CASOLBA has been installed…

A kangaroo near the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. This facility's position in the southern hemisphere enables astrophysicists and astronomers to observe heavenly bodies such as the Magellanic Clouds and internal regions of the Milky Way, which are only visible from this hemisphere.

Launching a lightweight dilatable sounding balloon in preparation for the PILOT, CLIMAT and CARMEN/CASOLBA missions at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. These small, sealed dilatable balloons are of the same type as used to gather meteorological data (weather balloons). Despite having a limited payload weight, this type of balloon can collect a great deal of useful data via a wide variety of instruments, such as particle counters or ozone meters, which measure the ozone…

Rolling out the PILOT gondola from its hangar, in preparation for tests at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. The PILOT astronomical science gondola, with a telescope payload, has been designed for use in studying the origins of the universe. Its purpose is to measure submillimetric polarised emissions from interstellar dust. More specifically, the project aims to map the magnetic fields in the interstellar clouds of the Milky Way, and study their role in star formation These…

Moving from the inflation station to the launch area, as part of the preparations for the PILOT, CLIMAT and CARMEN/CASOLBA missions at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. The small balloons are released shortly before the main launch, to provide a visual indication of the wind direction in addition to the data from the tethered balloon. The tethered balloon indicates the wind direction at altitudes of up to 200 m. To maximise the flight altitude and duration, balloon launches…

The PILOT gondola returns at dawn after a series of night-time tests at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. The PILOT astronomical science gondola, with a telescope payload, has been designed for use in studying the origins of the universe. Its purpose is to measure submillimetric polarised emissions from interstellar dust. More specifically, the project aims to map the magnetic fields in the interstellar clouds of the Milky Way, and study their role in star formation These…

Rolling out the PILOT gondola from its hangar, in preparation for tests at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. The PILOT astronomical science gondola, with a telescope payload, has been designed for use in studying the origins of the universe. Its purpose is to measure submillimetric polarised emissions from interstellar dust. More specifically, the project aims to map the magnetic fields in the interstellar clouds of the Milky Way, and study their role in star formation These…

Sunset viewed from the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. This facility's position in the southern hemisphere enables astrophysicists and astronomers to observe heavenly bodies such as the Magellanic Clouds and internal regions of the Milky Way, which are only visible from this hemisphere. This base was used to launch the balloons for the PILOT, CLIMAT and CARMEN/CASOLBA missions. Measurements are more economical and simpler to perform using balloons than using satellites. Balloons…

The PILOT gondola returns at dawn after a series of night-time tests at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. The PILOT astronomical science gondola, with a telescope payload, has been designed for use in studying the origins of the universe. Its purpose is to measure submillimetric polarised emissions from interstellar dust. More specifically, the project aims to map the magnetic fields in the interstellar clouds of the Milky Way, and study their role in star formation These…

Rolling out the PILOT gondola from its hangar, in preparation for tests at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. The PILOT astronomical science gondola, with a telescope payload, has been designed for use in studying the origins of the universe. Its purpose is to measure submillimetric polarised emissions from interstellar dust. More specifically, the project aims to map the magnetic fields in the interstellar clouds of the Milky Way, and study their role in star formation These…

Sunset viewed from the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. This facility's position in the southern hemisphere enables astrophysicists and astronomers to observe heavenly bodies such as the Magellanic Clouds and internal regions of the Milky Way, which are only visible from this hemisphere. This base was used to launch the balloons for the PILOT, CLIMAT and CARMEN/CASOLBA missions. Measurements are more economical and simpler to perform using balloons than using satellites. Balloons…

Rolling out the PILOT gondola from its hangar, in preparation for tests at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. The PILOT astronomical science gondola, with a telescope payload, has been designed for use in studying the origins of the universe. Its purpose is to measure submillimetric polarised emissions from interstellar dust. More specifically, the project aims to map the magnetic fields in the interstellar clouds of the Milky Way, and study their role in star formation These…

Fitting out the upper platform in the CARMEN gondola at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. CARMEN (ChARacterisation and Modelling of the Environment) is a gondola designed to carry a modular payload of scientific instruments, suspended from a stratospheric balloon. It eliminates the need to develop dedicated gondolas (designed specifically for a particular instrument and as such, impractical to reuse). CASOLBA was installed in CARMEN for the Austral campaign of April 2017. The…

The CLIMAT gondola being prepared at the balloon launch base in Alice Springs, in Australia. The red and white object is the Aircore instrument developed by the dynamic meteorology laboratory (Labo de Météo Dynamique - LMD) in Paris. This instrument performs a form of "air coring", sucking in air that is subsequently analysed on the ground in order to reveal the respective concentrations of the various atmospheric constituents. The CLIMAT mission ( Combination of Lasers and Instruments for in…

Adjusting the CARMEN gondola pivot at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. CARMEN (ChARacterisation and Modelling of the Environment) is a gondola designed to carry a modular payload of scientific instruments, suspended from a stratospheric balloon. It eliminates the need to develop dedicated gondolas (designed specifically for a particular instrument and as such, impractical to reuse). CASOLBA was installed in CARMEN for the Austral campaign of April 2017. The CASOLBA …

The CLIMAT gondola being prepared at the balloon launch base in Alice Springs, in Australia. The red and white object is the Aircore instrument developed by the dynamic meteorology laboratory (Labo de Météo Dynamique - LMD) in Paris. This instrument performs a form of "air coring", sucking in air that is subsequently analysed on the ground in order to reveal the respective concentrations of the various atmospheric constituents. The CLIMAT mission ( Combination of Lasers and Instruments for in…

View of the landscape at Telegraph Station, not far from the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. This facility's position in the southern hemisphere enables astrophysicists and astronomers to observe heavenly bodies such as the Magellanic Clouds and internal regions of the Milky Way, which are only visible from this hemisphere. This base was used to launch the balloons for the PILOT, CLIMAT and CARMEN/CASOLBA missions. Measurements are more economical and simpler to perform using…

The CLIMAT gondola being prepared at the balloon launch base in Alice Springs, in Australia. The red and white object is the Aircore instrument developed by the dynamic meteorology laboratory (Labo de Météo Dynamique - LMD) in Paris. This instrument performs a form of "air coring", sucking in air that is subsequently analysed on the ground in order to reveal the respective concentrations of the various atmospheric constituents. The CLIMAT mission (Combination of Lasers and Instruments for in…

The CLIMAT gondola being prepared at the balloon launch base in Alice Springs, in Australia. The red and white object is the Aircore instrument developed by the dynamic meteorology laboratory (Labo de Météo Dynamique - LMD) in Paris. This instrument performs a form of "air coring", sucking in air that is subsequently analysed on the ground in order to reveal the respective concentrations of the various atmospheric constituents. The CLIMAT mission ( Combination of Lasers and Instruments for in…

The meteorology officer reports to the mission manager regarding the high-altitude wind conditions forecast for the CLIMAT flight, and hence the most appropriate mission profile. Allowing for any safety considerations relating to the flight, the mission manager then announces a proposed launch date and time to his team of scientists. To maximise the flight altitude and duration, balloon launches for the various missions (PILOT, CLIMAT and CARMEN/CASOLBA) must be planned to coincide with…

The CLIMAT gondola being prepared at the balloon launch base in Alice Springs, in Australia. The red and white object is the Aircore instrument developed by the dynamic meteorology laboratory (Labo de Météo Dynamique - LMD) in Paris. This instrument performs a form of "air coring", sucking in air that is subsequently analysed on the ground in order to reveal the respective concentrations of the various atmospheric constituents. The CLIMAT mission ( Combination of Lasers and Instruments for in…

The meteorology officer presents the mission profile envisaged for the CLIMAT flight to the mission manager. This presentation follows a detailed analysis of the high-altitude wind forecasts. Allowing for any safety considerations relating to the flight, the mission manager then announces a proposed launch date and time to his team of scientists. To maximise the flight altitude and duration, balloon launches for the various missions (PILOT, CLIMAT and CARMEN/CASOLBA) must be planned to coincide…

Operational service gondolas. Situated in the core of the flight assembly, the operational service gondola receives and transmits data between the airborne and ground-based segments, and controls the aerostat (stratospheric balloon) in flight. The operational service gondola contains the flight avionics components, including the onboard computers, transponder and ballast container. In particular, these gondolas enable the actuation of gas- or ballast-releasing devices, to control the balloon's…

Adjusting the CARMEN gondola pivot at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. CARMEN (ChARacterisation and Modelling of the Environment) is a gondola designed to carry a modular payload of scientific instruments, suspended from a stratospheric balloon. It eliminates the need to develop dedicated gondolas (designed specifically for a particular instrument and as such, impractical to reuse). CASOLBA was installed in CARMEN for the Austral campaign of April 2017. The CASOLBA …

View of the landscape at Telegraph Station, not far from the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. This facility's position in the southern hemisphere enables astrophysicists and astronomers to observe heavenly bodies such as the Magellanic Clouds and internal regions of the Milky Way, which are only visible from this hemisphere. This base was used to launch the balloons for the PILOT, CLIMAT and CARMEN/CASOLBA missions. Measurements are more economical and simpler to perform using…

The PILOT gondola being prepared at the balloon launch base in Alice Springs, in Australia. The PILOT astronomical science gondola, with a telescope payload, has been designed for use in studying the origins of the universe. Its purpose is to measure submillimetric polarised emissions from interstellar dust. More specifically, the project aims to map the magnetic fields in the interstellar clouds of the Milky Way, and study their role in star formation These unprecedented measurements are being…