I. IN TRODUC TI ON
A. Contract Requirements
On November 1, 1946 the Research Division of the College of
Engineering of New York University entered into Contract
W28-099-ac-241 with Watson Laboratories of the Air Materiel
Command. Under this contract the University was commissioned
to design, develop and fly constant-level balloons to carry
instruments to altitudes from 10 to 20 kilometers, adjustable
at 2-kilameter intervals.
The following performance. was specified:
1. Altitude to be maintained within 500 meters.
2. Duration of constant level flight to be initially
6 to 8 hours minimum, eventually 48 hours.
3. The accuracy of pressure observation to be comparable
to that obtainable with the standard Army radiosonde
(t3-5 mb).
In addition to this balloon performance it was desired that:
4. A balloon-borne transmitter be developed for telemetering
of information from the balloon to suitable ground re-
ceivers.
5. Positioning of balloon during flight be determined by
ground tracking such as radar or radio direction-finding
or theodolite. ·
6. Appropriate meteorological data be collected and inter-
preted.
Following the first year of work the contract was renewed for
a 1-year period, and in addition to the provisions of the
original contract it was agreed that a total of 100 test flirftts
would be launched by the Universi~.
In September, 1948 a second renewal of the contract was ef±'ected.
With this renewal, which expires in March, 1949, it is ex-
pected that the development of equipment will be concluded.
Further extensions are under consideration whereby New York Uni-
versity will supply standardized flight gear and fli;ht ser-
vice personnel for routine test flights.
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