Campagne Austral 2017

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Preparing the CASOLBA mission, with the CARMEN gondola visible in the background 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…

A row of containers for the "Austral" balloon launch campaign facing the buildings at 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…

Preparing the CASOLBA mission, with the CARMEN gondola visible in the background at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. The CASOLBA 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 CLIMAT gondola for flight, with the CARMEN gondola visible in the background at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. The CLIMAT mission ( 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. CLIMAT is a 240kg gondola, carried under a 150,000 cu. m balloon to a ceiling altitude of 33 km. For…

The CLIMAT science and engineering team, prior to lift-off from the Alice Springs balloon launch base. The CLIMAT mission ( 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. CLIMAT is a 240kg gondola, carried under a 150,000 cu. m balloon to a ceiling altitude of 33 km. For example, its 2015 flight enabled scientists to…

Detailed view of the CLIMAT gondola being prepared at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. The CLIMAT mission ( 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. CLIMAT is a 240kg gondola, carried under a 150,000 cu. m balloon to a ceiling altitude of 33 km. For example, its 2015 flight enabled scientists…

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…

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…

Assembling the auxiliary balloon in preparation for flight at the balloon launch base in Alice Springs, 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 gondolas for the PILOT, CLIMAT and CARMEN/CASOLBA mission will be suspended from…

Assembling the auxiliary balloon in preparation for flight at the balloon launch base in Alice Springs, 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 gondolas for the PILOT, CLIMAT and CARMEN/CASOLBA mission will be suspended from…

Assembling the auxiliary balloon in preparation for flight at the balloon launch base in Alice Springs, 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 gondolas for the PILOT, CLIMAT and CARMEN/CASOLBA mission will be suspended from…

Assembling the auxiliary balloon in preparation for flight at the balloon launch base in Alice Springs, 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 gondolas for the PILOT, CLIMAT and CARMEN/CASOLBA mission will be suspended from…

A row of containers for the "Austral" balloon launch campaign facing the buildings at 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…

Launch site for the "Austral" campaign in Alice Springs, Australia. The preparation hall for the PILOT, CLIMAT and CARMEN/CASOLBA missions can be seen on the right. The hangar to its left is devoted entirely to preparing the balloons that will carry the mission payloads to altitudes of several tens of kilometres. The Alice Springs facility's location in the southern hemisphere enables astrophysicists and astronomers to observe heavenly bodies such as the Magellanic Clouds and internal regions…

View of the desert surrounding 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…

View of the desert surrounding 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…

A tethered balloon is used to identify the wind direction in preparation for the PILOT, CLIMAT and CARMEN/CASOLBA missions at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. These yellow balloons indicate the wind direction at altitudes of up to 200 m. To maximise the flight altitude and duration, balloon launches for the various missions must be planned to coincide with stratospheric wind inversions. The research team therefore consulted data from satellites, radiosonde balloons and…

A tethered balloon is used to identify the wind direction in preparation for the PILOT, CLIMAT and CARMEN/CASOLBA missions at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. These yellow balloons indicate the wind direction at altitudes of up to 200 m. To maximise the flight altitude and duration, balloon launches for the various missions must be planned to coincide with stratospheric wind inversions. The research team therefore consulted data from satellites, radiosonde balloons and…

A tethered balloon is used to identify the wind direction in preparation for the PILOT, CLIMAT and CARMEN/CASOLBA missions at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. These yellow balloons indicate the wind direction at altitudes of up to 200 m. To maximise the flight altitude and duration, balloon launches for the various missions must be planned to coincide with stratospheric wind inversions. The research team therefore consulted data from satellites, radiosonde balloons and…

The team of balloon engineers working on the "Austral" campaign deploy a test balloon at the Alice Springs launch facility in Australia. This base was used to launch the balloons for the PILOT, CLIMAT and CARMEN/CASOLBA missions in April 2017. These gondolas, lifted by helium-filled balloons, were launched to an altitude of several tens of kilometres. To enable this, the research team consulted data from satellites and test balloons in search of the ideal meteorological conditions. To maximise…

Wheeling out the CLIMAT gondola at the Alice Springs balloon launch base 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 situ…

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…

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…

Pre-flight preparation of the PILOT gondola at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. Hoisted aloft by a high-altitude balloon on 16 and 17 April 2017, in near-interstellar vacuum conditions, PILOT was controlled in real time by a time of scientists, who were able to collect signals normally blocked by the Earth's atmosphere. This invaluable data will provide new insights into the history of the universe.

The inflight scientific data monitoring software application, during preparations for the PILOT mission, at the Alice Springs balloon launch base. Hoisted aloft by a high-altitude balloon on 16 and 17 April 2017, in near-interstellar vacuum conditions, the PILOT gondola, carrying a telescope, was controlled in real time by a time of scientists, who were able to collect signals normally blocked by the Earth's atmosphere. This invaluable data will provide new insights into the history of the…

Camion transportant des bâches en préparation d'un vol, sur le site de lancement de ballons d'Alice Springs, en Australie. Les bâches sont obligatoirement disposées au sol avant de déplier le ballon principal afin de ne pas endommager ce dernier. Lors du lâcher, le camion permet de retenir le ballon auxiliaire et grâce à son treuil (caisse métallique à l’arrière) il vient fixer la nacelle charge utile avant le lancement.

A tethered balloon is used to identify the wind direction in preparation for the PILOT, CLIMAT and CARMEN/CASOLBA missions at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. These yellow balloons indicate the wind direction at altitudes of up to 200 m. To maximise the flight altitude and duration, balloon launches for the various missions must be planned to coincide with stratospheric wind inversions. The research team therefore consulted data from satellites, radiosonde balloons and…

Rehearsing launch operations on the asphalt at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. Before a stratospheric balloon is launched, the flight assembly must be set up. This 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. Measurements are more economical and…

Rehearsing launch operations on the asphalt at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. Before a stratospheric balloon is launched, the flight assembly must be set up. This 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. Measurements are more economical and…

Rehearsing launch operations on the asphalt at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. Before a stratospheric balloon is launched, the flight assembly must be set up. This 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. Measurements are more economical and…

Rehearsing launch operations on the asphalt at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. Before a stratospheric balloon is launched, the flight assembly must be set up. This 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. Measurements are more economical and…

Rehearsing launch operations on the asphalt at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. Before a stratospheric balloon is launched, the flight assembly must be set up. This 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. Measurements are more economical and…

Pyrotechnic separation device at the top of the flight assembly (triple-parachute top section), awaiting installation in the envelope gondola as part of the preparations for the PILOT, CLIMAT and CARMEN/CASOLBA missions, at the Alice Springs balloon launch base 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…

Deploying the top (triple-parachute) section of a balloon gondola's flight assembly, in preparation for the PILOT, CLIMAT and CARMEN/CASOLBA missions at the Alice Springs facility in Australia. This 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…

Parachute spreader awaiting installation in the operational service gondola, in preparation for the PILOT, CLIMAT and CARMEN/CASOLBA missions at the Alice Springs facility in Australia. 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. It contains the flight avionics components, including the onboard computers, transponder and…

Parachute spreader awaiting installation in the operational service gondola, in preparation for the PILOT, CLIMAT and CARMEN/CASOLBA missions at the Alice Springs facility in Australia. 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. It contains the flight avionics components, including the onboard computers, transponder and…

A tethered balloon is used to identify the wind direction in preparation for the PILOT, CLIMAT and CARMEN/CASOLBA missions at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. These yellow balloons indicate the wind direction at altitudes of up to 200 m. To maximise the flight altitude and duration, balloon launches for the various missions must be planned to coincide with stratospheric wind inversions. The research team therefore consulted data from satellites, radiosonde balloons and…

Preparing the operational service gondola. 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…

A tethered balloon is used to identify the wind direction in preparation for the PILOT, CLIMAT and CARMEN/CASOLBA missions at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. These yellow balloons indicate the wind direction at altitudes of up to 200 m. To maximise the flight altitude and duration, balloon launches for the various missions must be planned to coincide with stratospheric wind inversions. The research team therefore consulted data from satellites, radiosonde balloons and…

Preparing the operational service gondola. 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…

Preparing the operational service gondola. 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…

Preparing the operational service gondola. 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 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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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 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…

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 …

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…

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 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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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 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…

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 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…

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…

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…

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.

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 radar transponder part of the flight string, in preparation for the PILOT, CLIMAT and CARMEN/CASOLBA missions at the Alice Springs facility in Australia. This operation is performed before each flight, as part of the operational service gondola configuration procedure. The role of the radar transponder is to enable communication with other aircraft. Situated in the core of the flight assembly, the operational service gondola receives and transmits data between the airborne and…

Weather check before launching the CLIMAT gondola 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. CLIMAT is a 240 kg gondola, carried under a 150,000 cu. m balloon to a ceiling altitude of 33 km. For example, its 2015 flight enabled scientists to…

A tethered balloon is used to identify the wind direction in preparation for the CLIMAT flight at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. To maximise the flight altitude and duration, balloon launches for the various missions must be planned to coincide with stratospheric wind inversions. The research team therefore consulted data from satellites, radiosonde balloons and tethered balloons, as shown here, in search of the ideal meteorological conditions. The CLIMAT mission (…

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…

The operational services module in the CARMEN gondola at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. 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. It contains the flight avionics components, including the onboard computers, transponder and ballast container. In particular, these gondolas enable the actuation of gas- or…

A tethered balloon is used to identify the wind direction in preparation for the CLIMAT flight at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. To maximise the flight altitude and duration, balloon launches for the various missions must be planned to coincide with stratospheric wind inversions. The research team therefore consulted data from satellites, radiosonde balloons and tethered balloons, as shown here, in search of the ideal meteorological conditions. The CLIMAT mission (…

A tethered balloon is used to identify the wind direction in preparation for the CLIMAT flight at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. To maximise the flight altitude and duration, balloon launches for the various missions must be planned to coincide with stratospheric wind inversions. The research team therefore consulted data from satellites, radiosonde balloons and tethered balloons, as shown here, in search of the ideal meteorological conditions. The CLIMAT mission (…

A tethered balloon is used to identify the wind direction in preparation for the CLIMAT flight at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. To maximise the flight altitude and duration, balloon launches for the various missions must be planned to coincide with stratospheric wind inversions. The research team therefore consulted data from satellites, radiosonde balloons and tethered balloons, as shown here, in search of the ideal meteorological conditions. The CLIMAT mission (…

The payload launch vehicle retains the CLIMAT flight assembly prior to release 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…

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 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 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)…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

A tethered balloon is used to identify the wind direction in preparation for the CARMEN/CASOLBA flight at the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. To maximise the flight altitude and duration, balloon launches for the various missions must be planned to coincide with stratospheric wind inversions. The research team therefore consulted data from satellites, radiosonde balloons and tethered balloons, as shown here, in search of the ideal meteorological conditions. CARMEN …

The PILOT gondola, seen a few hours before launch, in the hangar 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…

The PILOT gondola, seen a few hours before launch, in the hangar 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…

The PILOT gondola, seen a few hours before launch, in the hangar 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 prior to launch, at the Alice Springs facility 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…

Rolling out the PILOT gondola prior to launch, at the Alice Springs facility 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…

The PILOT gondola is attached to the auxiliary balloon prior to release, at the Alice Springs launch facility in Australia. The 800.000 cu. m load-carrying stratospheric balloon, 50 times larger than the auxiliary balloon, will take over and lift the gondola, which weighs 1,058 kg, 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. The PILOT astronomical science gondola, with a…

The PILOT gondola is attached to the auxiliary balloon prior to release, at the Alice Springs launch facility in Australia. The 800.000 cu. m load-carrying stratospheric balloon, 50 times larger than the auxiliary balloon, will take over and lift the gondola, which weighs 1,058 kg, 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. The PILOT astronomical science gondola, with a…

The stratospheric balloon for the PILOT mission, on the tarmac at the Alice Springs facility in Australia. The balloon, which will expand to a volume of 800.000 cu. m, is inflated on the ground until it becomes buoyant. The PILOT astronomical science balloon, designed for use in studying the origins of the universe, aims 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…

The stratospheric balloon for the PILOT mission, on the tarmac at the Alice Springs facility in Australia. The balloon, which will expand to a volume of 800.000 cu. m, is inflated on the ground until it becomes buoyant. The PILOT astronomical science balloon, designed for use in studying the origins of the universe, aims 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…

The stratospheric balloon for the PILOT mission, on the tarmac at the Alice Springs facility in Australia. The balloon, which will expand to a volume of 800.000 cu. m, is inflated on the ground until it becomes buoyant. The PILOT astronomical science balloon, designed for use in studying the origins of the universe, aims 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…

A truck tows the PILOT gondola, attached to an auxiliary balloon, toward the stratospheric balloon, on the tarmac in Alice Springs, 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. The PILOT astronomical science gondola, with a telescope payload, has…

A truck tows the PILOT gondola, attached to an auxiliary balloon, toward the stratospheric balloon, on the tarmac in Alice Springs, 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. The PILOT astronomical science gondola, with a telescope payload, has…

A truck tows the PILOT gondola, attached to an auxiliary balloon, toward the stratospheric balloon, on the tarmac in Alice Springs, 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. The PILOT astronomical science gondola, with a telescope payload, has…

The stratospheric balloon for the PILOT mission, on the tarmac at the Alice Springs facility in Australia. The balloon, which will expand to a volume of 800.000 cu. m, is inflated on the ground until it becomes buoyant. The PILOT astronomical science balloon, designed for use in studying the origins of the universe, aims 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…

The stratospheric balloon for the PILOT mission, on the tarmac at the Alice Springs facility in Australia. The balloon, which will expand to a volume of 800,000 cu. m, is inflated on the ground until it becomes buoyant. The PILOT astronomical science balloon, designed for use in studying the origins of the universe, aims 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…

The PILOT gondola ascends into the sky above the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. The flight, which lasted 33 hours and 40 minutes, took place on 16-17 April 2017. The gondola reached a maximum altitude of 40 km. The purpose of the PILOT mission is to measure submillimetric polarised emissions from interstellar dust, in order to gain insights into the origins of the universe. More specifically, the project aims to map the magnetic fields in the interstellar clouds of the Milky…

The PILOT gondola ascends into the sky above the Alice Springs balloon launch base in Australia. Here we see the various components of the flight assembly, including the main balloon, a parachute, a radar reflector and the gondola. The flight, which lasted 33 hours and 40 minutes, took place on 16-17 April 2017. The gondola reached a maximum altitude of 40 km. The purpose of the PILOT mission is to measure submillimetric polarised emissions from interstellar dust, in order to gain insights into…